--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is, however, only one idea of duty…" description: "\"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 sum..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/swami-vivekananda-53_accepted_there-is-however-only-one-idea-of-duty-w_1378396.jpg" --- # 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."” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/swami-vivekananda-53_accepted_there-is-however-only-one-idea-of-duty-w_1378396.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/swami-vivekananda-53_accepted_there-is-however-only-one-idea-of-duty-w_1378396.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/swami-vivekananda-53_accepted_there-is-however-only-one-idea-of-duty-w_1378396.jpg) > “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."” [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## 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. Key Takeaway Practice non‑violence daily. Themes ethics compassion universalism Mood reflective serene Type moral philosophical When to use this quote - personal conduct - environmental stewardship - animal rights - conflict resolution Key Concepts non‑violence karma spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How can you protect yourself without harming others? - What daily habits foster compassion? A Different Perspective Non‑violence can be hard when self‑preservation is threatened. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Ahimsa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ahimsa/) [Aphorism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aphorism/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Sanskrit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sanskrit/) [Sects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sects/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [According to the now almost universally accepted theory, all the races of mankind had a common origin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellsworth-huntington/according-to-the-now-almost-universally-accepted-theory-all-the-races/) [Ellsworth Huntington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellsworth-huntington/) > [To draft a bill of rights that simply replicates the European convention on human rights gives the game away; namely that the Human Rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/to-draft-a-bill-of-rights-that-simply-replicates-the-european/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [Do you know this Sanskrit Shloka: "Let those who are versed in the ethical codes praise or blame, let Lakshmi, the goddess of Fortune,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/do-you-know-this-sanskrit-shloka-let-those-who-are-versed-in-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [There can be no other criterion, no other standard than gold. 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