《贞观政要·卷八·论刑法》
拿隋朝的物资、兵甲、人口和现在的情况相比，成什么比例？然而隋朝富强反而败亡，原因就在于它好动，扰民不已；我朝贫穷反而安宁，原因在于务静，无为而治。静则安，动则乱，这个道理人人皆知，并非细微深藏难以察见。
以隋氏之府藏譬今日之资储，以隋氏之甲兵况当今之士马，以隋氏之户口校今时之百姓，度长比大，曾何等级？然隋氏以富强而丧败，动之也；我以贫穷而安宁，静之也。静之则安，动之则乱，人皆知之，非隐而难见也，非微而难察也。
Compared with the current situation, what is the proportion of the Sui Dynasty's materials, weapons, and population? However, the Sui Dynasty perished on the contrary because it was active and disturbed the people; our dynasty is poor but peaceful because it is quiet and governs without doing anything. If you are quiet, you will be safe; if you move, you will be disturbed. This truth is known to all, and it is not something that is subtle and difficult to detect.