Similarities Between the Edicts of Ashoka, the Bible, and Hammurabi's Code
Jared Sidney Messer
Hi 101, Essay 2
Option 2,
A few thousand years ago, three sets of laws were composed that show remarkable similarities in their instructions on how to live a moral and righteous life. Although they were written hundreds of miles apart from each other, and in totally different cultures and civilizations, the Edicts of Ashoka, the Bible, and Hammurabi’s Code all elucidate the moral principles of self-control, justice, and abstention from harming living beings. In the Thirteenth Rock Edict, Ashoka, the greatest Mauryan king of India, points out that he desired to have self-control. This is the act of self-denial and the ability to control your impulses. Ashoka obviously considered this to be a virtue and in line with dharma, righteous and virtuous living. The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament, written about 800 years before Ashoka, had already set forth this precedent. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city that has been broken into and without walls.” Again in Proverbs 21:23, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” In addition, Hammurabi’s Code, written in Babylon around the 17th century B.C., required the mastery of self-control to be able to abide by its laws. For example, if someone was caught in the act of robbery, he was to be executed. This harsh punishment provided an indirect yet effective incentive for self-control and moral living. It can be seen then, that these three works of law portrayed self-control as an essential element in a righteous life. Also in the Thirteenth Rock Edict, Ashoka elevated justice as a necessary component in a virtuous life. He was willing to forgive as far as he could, but then there must be punishment for wrong doing. He said his subjects must “reform, lest they be killed.” Rebels and malefactors received what they deserved under Ashoka’s reign. God’s justice in the Bible is illustrated in the Old Testament Law when He
Hi 101, Essay 2
Option 2,
A few thousand years ago, three sets of laws were composed that show remarkable similarities in their instructions on how to live a moral and righteous life. Although they were written hundreds of miles apart from each other, and in totally different cultures and civilizations, the Edicts of Ashoka, the Bible, and Hammurabi’s Code all elucidate the moral principles of self-control, justice, and abstention from harming living beings. In the Thirteenth Rock Edict, Ashoka, the greatest Mauryan king of India, points out that he desired to have self-control. This is the act of self-denial and the ability to control your impulses. Ashoka obviously considered this to be a virtue and in line with dharma, righteous and virtuous living. The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament, written about 800 years before Ashoka, had already set forth this precedent. Proverbs 25:28 says, “A man without self-control is like a city that has been broken into and without walls.” Again in Proverbs 21:23, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” In addition, Hammurabi’s Code, written in Babylon around the 17th century B.C., required the mastery of self-control to be able to abide by its laws. For example, if someone was caught in the act of robbery, he was to be executed. This harsh punishment provided an indirect yet effective incentive for self-control and moral living. It can be seen then, that these three works of law portrayed self-control as an essential element in a righteous life. Also in the Thirteenth Rock Edict, Ashoka elevated justice as a necessary component in a virtuous life. He was willing to forgive as far as he could, but then there must be punishment for wrong doing. He said his subjects must “reform, lest they be killed.” Rebels and malefactors received what they deserved under Ashoka’s reign. God’s justice in the Bible is illustrated in the Old Testament Law when He