XXXIII
Non-Killing
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The greatest of virtues is non-killing: killing bringeth in its train every other sin.
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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.
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The greatest virtue of all is non-killing: truthfulness cometh only next.
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What is the good way? It is the path that taketh thought how it may save even the smallest of creatures from being killed.
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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.
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Behold the man who hath taken the vow of non-killing: Death that eateth away all life maketh no inroads into his days.
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Take not away from any living thing the life that is sweet unto all, even if it be to save thine own.
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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.
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Those who live by slaying are likened by the discriminating to eaters of carrion.
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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.