佛祖歷代通載 15.11

15.11

（七　己丑）　元和四年。上問侍臣。政之寬猛孰先。宰相權德輿。對曰。唐家承隋苛虐以仁厚為先。太宗皇帝見明堂圖。即禁鞭背刑。列聖所循皆尚德教。故天寶大盜竊發俄而夷滅。蓋本朝之化感人心之深。帝曰。誠如公言。德輿善辯論。開陳古今本末。以覺悟人主。為輔相寬和不為察察名。文章雅正贍縟。當時公卿侯王功德卓異者。皆所為銘紀。雖動止無外飾。其醞藉風流。自然可慕。貞元元和間為縉紳羽儀。

(7. Yichou) In the fourth year of the Yuanhe era, the Emperor asked his attendants: "In governance, which comes first, leniency or severity?" Prime Minister Quan Deyu replied: "The house of Tang inherited the harsh tyranny of the Sui and placed benevolence and generosity foremost. When Emperor Taizong saw the diagram of the Mingtang, he promptly banned the punishment of flogging the back. What the successive sagely rulers followed was entirely to value moral instruction. Therefore, when the great rebels of the Tianbao era covertly arose, they were suddenly extinguished. This is because our dynasty's transformation has moved people's hearts so deeply." The Emperor said: "It is truly as you say." Deyu was skilled in debate, presenting the origins and ends of past and present to awaken the ruler of men. In assisting as prime minister, he was lenient and harmonious, not seeking a reputation for pettiness and scrutiny. His writing was elegant, correct, copious, and rich; the prominent dukes, ministers, and feudal lords of the time whose meritorious virtue was outstanding all had their inscriptions and records composed by him. Although his comportment lacked outward adornment, his refined culture and bearing were naturally admirable. During the Zhenyuan and Yuanhe eras, he was an exemplar for the scholar-officials.