"The beloved of the gods speaks thus: This Dhamma edict was written twenty-six years after my coronation."

"Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: All men are my children. What I desire for my own children, and I desire that they may obtain welfare and happiness both in this world and the next, …"

"Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons may not think of new conquests, and that if a conquest by arms should become neces…"

"I have had banyan trees planted on the roads to give shade to man and beast; I have planted mango groves, and I have had wells dug and rest-houses built at intervals along the roads."

"The beloved of the gods, king Piyadasi, honors men of all religions with gifts and various forms of recognition."