德本刑用

將德禮作為推行政教的原則，以刑罰作為推行政教的工具。是唐代立法的基本原則，體現了唐代君主以民為本的治國思想。“德本刑用”被認為是古代法律儒家化的代表性概念。

This concept means to take morality and rites as the principle and penalty as the tool forgovernance. It is the fundamental principle of legislation in the Tang Dynasty， embodyingthe ruler?s people-oriented thought of state governance at that time. It is considered arepresentative Confucianized concept of ancient laws.

引例 Citation：

德禮為政教之本，刑罰為政教之用，猶昏曉陽秋相須而成者也。《唐律疏議·名例律》）

（把德禮作為推行政教的根本、刑罰用作推行政教的手段，就如黑夜與白天、春季與秋季相待而又相成。）

Taking morality and ritual as the foundation for governance and taking penally as the meansare opposite but complementary. The two are mutually complementary and reinforcing， justlike day and night， or spring and autumn. （Commentary on The Tang Code）