All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.

— Mahavira

A man is seated on top of a tree in the midst of a burning forest. He sees all living beings perish. But he doesn’t realize that the same fate is soon to overtake him also. That man is fool.

— Mahavira

Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love.

— Mahavira

Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma.

— Mahavira

Can you hold a red-hot iron rod in your hand merely because someone wants you to do so? Then, will it be right on your part to ask others to do the same thing just to satisfy your desires? If you cannot tolerate infliction of pain on your body or mind by others' words and actions, what right have you to do the same to others through your words and deeds? Do unto others as you would like to be done by. Injury or violence done by you to any life in any form, animal or human, is as harmful as it would e if caused to your own self.

— Mahavira

Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being.

— Mahavira

Don't accumulate if you do not need. The excess of wealth in your hands is for the society, and you are the trustee for the same.

— Mahavira

In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.

— Mahavira