弘明集 8.71

8.71

釋曰。夫聖必緣感無往非應。結繩以後民澆俗薄。末代王教誕揚堯孔。至如妙法所沾。固助俗為化。不待刑戮而自淳。無假楚撻而取正。石主師澄而興國。古王諮勃以隆道。破國之文從何取說。

The explanation says: A sage must depend on affinities to respond; there is nowhere he does not answer. Ever since the knotted cords, the people have become superficial and customs frivolous; the royal teachings of later eras praised Yao and Confucius. As for the moistening influence of the wondrous Dharma, it firmly aids secular ways in transforming [the people]: without waiting for punishments and executions, they become pure on their own; without resorting to whips and beatings, they attain correctness. The Ruler of the Shi took Master Fotudeng as his teacher and caused his state to flourish; the ancient king consulted Jīvaka to exalt the Dao. From where do you derive this talk of 'destroying the state'?