"The Beloved of the Gods, King Piyadasi, speaks thus: The people of the unconquered territories beyond the borders might think: 'What does the king desire with regard to us?'"

"And whatever efforts I am making are made in order that I may discharge the debt which I owe to all living beings, that I may make them happy in this world, and that they may attain heaven in the next…"

"The beloved of the gods, king Piyadasi, desires that all religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart."

"This is good - but this I consider of very little consequence: the fact that the people practice Dhamma."

"This progress among the people through Dhamma has been done by two means, by Dhamma regulations and by persuasion. Of these, Dhamma regulation is of little effect, while persuasion has much more effec…"