--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no virtue higher than non-injury." description: "\"There is no virtue higher than non-injury.\" — Swami Vivekananda" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/swami-vivekananda-53_ahimsa_there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injur_3079694.jpg" --- # There is no virtue higher than non-injury. ![“There is no virtue higher than non-injury.” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/swami-vivekananda-53_ahimsa_there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injur_3079694.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/swami-vivekananda-53_ahimsa_there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injur_3079694.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/swami-vivekananda-53_ahimsa_there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injur_3079694.jpg) > “There is no virtue higher than non-injury.” [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. Non-harm is the highest moral principle; avoiding injury to all beings is the supreme virtue. **In simple terms:** Avoid harming others is the greatest good. Key Takeaway Practice compassion and restraint. Themes ethics non-violence spirituality Mood reflective serene Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal relationships - environmental stewardship - conflict resolution Key Concepts Ahimsa moral hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - How can you embody non‑injury in daily choices? - What limits exist for absolute non‑violence? A Different Perspective Non-violence can be challenging when self‑defense is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ahimsa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ahimsa/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Higher Non](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-non-5246820/) [Injury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injury/) [Non Injury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-injury-5246819/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-higher-1780885/) ## Related quotes > [Never producing pain by thought, word, and deed, in any living being, is what is called Ahimsâ, non-injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/never-producing-pain-by-thought-word-and-deed-in-any-living-being-is/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Truth is the highest virtue, but higher still is truthful living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guru-nanak/truth-is-the-highest-virtue-but-higher-still-is-truthful-living/) [Guru Nanak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guru-nanak/) > [The man or the woman in whom resides greater virtue is the higher; neither the loftiness nor the lowliness of a person lies in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-de-pizan/the-man-or-the-woman-in-whom-resides-greater-virtue-is-the-higher/) [Christine de Pizan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-de-pizan/) > [These practices - non-killing, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-receiving - are to be practised by every man, woman, and child; by every soul, irrespective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/these-practices-non-killing-truthfulness-non-stealing-chastity-and/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Non-injuring has to be attained by him who would be free. No one is more powerful than he who has attained perfect non-injuring. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/non-injuring-has-to-be-attained-by-him-who-would-be-free-no-one-is/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The test of Ahimsa is absence of jealousy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-test-of-ahimsa-is-absence-of-jealousy/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [There is no happiness higher than what a man obtains by this attitude of non-offensiveness, to all creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-no-happiness-higher-than-what-a-man-obtains-by-this-attitude/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The Buddhist tenet, "Non-killing is supreme virtue", is very good, but in trying to enforce it upon all by legislation without paying any heed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-buddhist-tenet-non-killing-is-supreme-virtue-is-very-good-but-in/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [There is, however, only one idea of duty which has been universally accepted by all mankind, of all ages and sects and countries, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-however-only-one-idea-of-duty-which-has-been-universally/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Ahimsa (non-killing), truthfulness, purity, mercy, and godliness are always to be kept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/ahimsa-non-killing-truthfulness-purity-mercy-and-godliness-are-always/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The test of ahimsa is the absence of jealousy. The man whose heart never cherishes even the thought of injury to anyone, who rejoices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-test-of-ahimsa-is-the-absence-of-jealousy-the-man-whose-heart/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [To his enemies the householder must be a hero. Them he must resist. That is the duty of the householder. He must not sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/to-his-enemies-the-householder-must-be-a-hero-them-he-must-resist/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Ahimsa is not mere negative non-injury. It is positive, cosmic love. It is the development of a mental attitude in which hatred is replaced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivananda/ahimsa-is-not-mere-negative-non-injury-it-is-positive-cosmic-love-it/) [Sivananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivananda/) > [To me, the labor movement was never just a way of getting higher wages. What appealed to me was the spiritual side of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-schneiderman/to-me-the-labor-movement-was-never-just-a-way-of-getting-higher-wages/) [Rose Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-schneiderman/) > [A lottery is a salutary instrument and a tax... laid on the willing only, that is to say, on those who can risk the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-lottery-is-a-salutary-instrument-and-a-tax-laid-on-the-willing-only/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More by Swami Vivekananda > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The Hindus have a peculiar slovenliness in business matters, not being sufficiently methodical and strict in keeping accounts etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-hindus-have-a-peculiar-slovenliness-in-business-matters-not-being/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Renunciation is in our blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/renunciation-is-in-our-blood/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/where-can-we-go-to-find-god-if-we-cannot-see-him-in-our-own-hearts/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [It is the free alone which never changes, and the unchangeable alone which is free; for change is produced by something exterior to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/it-is-the-free-alone-which-never-changes-and-the-unchangeable-alone/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Above all, India is the land of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/above-all-india-is-the-land-of-religion/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The awakening of the soul to its bondage and its effort to stand up and assert itself - this is called life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-awakening-of-the-soul-to-its-bondage-and-its-effort-to-stand-up/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [It is the Prana that is manifesting as motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/it-is-the-prana-that-is-manifesting-as-motion/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Though an atom is invisible, unthinkable, yet in it are the whole power and potency of the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/though-an-atom-is-invisible-unthinkable-yet-in-it-are-the-whole-power/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Nothing can be produced without a cause, and the effect is but the cause reproduced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/nothing-can-be-produced-without-a-cause-and-the-effect-is-but-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [All the strength and succour you want is within yourselves. Therefore make your own future. "Let the dead past bury its dead." The infinite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/all-the-strength-and-succour-you-want-is-within-yourselves-therefore/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Be brave! Be strong! Be fearless! Once you have taken up the spiritual life, fight as long as there is any life in you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/be-brave-be-strong-be-fearless-once-you-have-taken-up-the-spiritual/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“there is a continuity of mind, as the Yogis call it. The mind is universal. Your mind, my mind, all these little minds, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-a-continuity-of-mind-as-the-yogis-call-it-the-mind-is/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) [Explore all 1,889 Swami Vivekananda quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## More Ahimsa quotes > [Ahimsa can be practiced only towards those that are inferior to you in every way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/ahimsa-can-be-practiced-only-towards-those-that-are-inferior-to-you/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Whatever strength the masses have is due entirely to ahimsa, however imperfect or defective its practice might have been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/whatever-strength-the-masses-have-is-due-entirely-to-ahimsa-however/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Which religion gives the greatest joy to God? That which inspires human beings to practice Ahimsa and compassion to all creatures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vallabha-acharya/which-religion-gives-the-greatest-joy-to-god-that-which-inspires/) [Vallabha Acharya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vallabha-acharya/) > [Ahimsa is not mere negative non-injury. It is positive, cosmic love. It is the development of a mental attitude in which hatred is replaced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivananda/ahimsa-is-not-mere-negative-non-injury-it-is-positive-cosmic-love-it/) [Sivananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivananda/) > [Ahimsa is an attribute of the brave. Cowardice and ahimsa don't go together any more that water and fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/ahimsa-is-an-attribute-of-the-brave-cowardice-and-ahimsa-don-t-go/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Strictly speaking, no activity and no industry is possible without a certain amount of violence, no matter how little. Even the very process of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/strictly-speaking-no-activity-and-no-industry-is-possible-without-a/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [If our ahimsa is not of the brave but of the weak, and if it will bend the knee before himsa, Gandhism deserves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/if-our-ahimsa-is-not-of-the-brave-but-of-the-weak-and-if-it-will-bend/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Khadi has been conceived as the foundation and the image of ahimsa. A real khadi-wearer will not utter an untruth. A real khadi-wearer will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/khadi-has-been-conceived-as-the-foundation-and-the-image-of-ahimsa-a/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Dharma is one and one only. Ahimsa means moksha, and moksha is the realization of Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/dharma-is-one-and-one-only-ahimsa-means-moksha-and-moksha-is-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [It is against the spirit of ahimsa to overawe even one person into submission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/it-is-against-the-spirit-of-ahimsa-to-overawe-even-one-person-into/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Hinduism with its message of ahimsa is to me the most glorious religion in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/hinduism-with-its-message-of-ahimsa-is-to-me-the-most-glorious/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Ahimsa means infinite love, which again means infinite capacity for suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/ahimsa-means-infinite-love-which-again-means-infinite-capacity-for/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [To his enemies the householder must be a hero. Them he must resist. That is the duty of the householder. He must not sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/to-his-enemies-the-householder-must-be-a-hero-them-he-must-resist/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [A votary of ahimsa always prays for ultimate deliverance from the bondage of the flesh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/a-votary-of-ahimsa-always-prays-for-ultimate-deliverance-from-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [ If you kill me, you kill yourself." \[...\] He only wanted to convey to Janegg the truth of ahimsa, which is that all beings… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-zindell/if-you-kill-me-you-kill-yourself-he-only-wanted-to-convey-to-janegg/) [David Zindell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-zindell/) [Browse all 138 Ahimsa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ahimsa/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no virtue higher than non-injury.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Swami Vivekananda" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injury/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ahimsa" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injury/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/swami-vivekananda-53_ahimsa_there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injur_3079694.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/swami-vivekananda-53_ahimsa_there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injur_3079694.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/573/swami-vivekananda-53_ahimsa_there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injur_3079694.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no virtue higher than non-injury.” — Swami Vivekananda", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Swami Vivekananda", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is no virtue higher than...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injury/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-no-virtue-higher-than-non-injury/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```