There is, however, only one idea of duty which has been…
“There is, however, only one idea of duty which has been universally accepted by all mankind, of all ages and sects and countries, and that has been summed up in a Sanskrit aphorism thus: "Do not injure any being; not injuring any being is virtue, injuring any being is sin."”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The universal moral principle is to avoid harming any living being; harming is sinful, refraining is virtuous.
In simple terms: Do not hurt any life; that is virtue.
Practice non‑violence daily.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal conduct
- environmental stewardship
- animal rights
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you protect yourself without harming others?
- What daily habits foster compassion?
Non‑violence can be hard when self‑preservation is threatened.