《资治通鉴·陈纪·陈纪八》
杨坚执政以后，革除了北周宣帝苛刻残暴的政令，为政务从宽大。他册改旧律，制定《刑书要制》，上奏静帝颁行天下。他又提倡节俭，并且身体力行，于是得到了朝野内外的称赞。
坚革宣帝苛酷之政，更为宽大，删略旧律，作《刑书要制》，奏而行之；躬履节俭，中外悦之。
After Yang Jian came to power, he reformed the harsh and cruel policies of Emperor Xuan of Zhou and enforced a benevolent governance. He revised the old laws, compiled the "Essentials of Criminal Codes, " and submitted it to Emperor Jing for promulgation throughout the empire. He also advocated thrift and practiced it himself, so he received praise from both the court and the countryside.