The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
NON-KILLING
321. The greatest of virtues is non-killing: killing bringeth in its train every other sin.
322. To divide one's bread with the needy and to abstain from killing: this is the greatest of all the commandments of all the prophets.
323. The greatest virtue of all is non-killing : truthfulness cometh only next.
324. What is the good way? It is the path that taketh thought how it may save even the smallest of creatures from being killed.
325. Among all that have renounced this life with its fears of ill, the chiefest is he that reverenceth all life for fear of killing any.
326. Behold the man who hath taken the vow of non-killing : Death that eateth away all life maketh no inroads into his days.
327. Take not away from any living thing the life that is sweet unto all, even if it be to save thine own.
328. They may say, Sacrifices gain for a man many blessings : but to the pure in heart the blessings that are earned by killing are an abomination.
329. Those who live by slaying are likened by the discriminating to eaters of carrion.
330. Behold the man whose putrid body is festering with ulcerous sores : he must have been a shedder of blood in the past, say the wise.
HERE ENDETH SUBDIVISION A OF
SECTION ii OF PART I
ENTITLED DISCIPLINE