"This Dhamma edict was written by me after I had been consecrated twenty-six years. I have caused this Dhamma edict to be inscribed for the following purpose: that it may endure for a long time, and th…"

"Thus speaks King Priyadarsin, Beloved of the Gods: I have had this Dhamma edict written so that my sons and grandsons and great-grandsons may follow it and live according to it. And this is for the we…"

"Therefore, it is my wish that there should be uniformity in judicial procedure and punishment. For many people are imprisoned, tortured, and killed unjustly. This is not good."

"For a long time in the past, for many hundreds of years, there had ever been increased killing of living beings, cruelty to living beings, disrespect to relatives, disrespect to Brahmans and ascetics."

"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, …"