Mahavira

The true happiness lies in detachment.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Uttaradhyayana Sutra

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

One should not accumulate wealth beyond one's needs.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Uttaradhyayana Sutra

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The universe is beginningless and endless.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Unknown, attributed to Mahavira

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The path to liberation is through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

circa 5th-6th century BCE (core teaching) — Tattvartha Sutra (though this text was compiled later, it reflects Mahavira's teachings)

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Kill no living thing.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Acharanga Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

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

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Acharanga Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest mistake of a soul is non-restraint.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Sutrakritanga Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

All men who are ignorant are miserable; all who are wise are happy.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

There is no quality of soul more subtile than non-attachment.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water, and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Acharanga Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

A wise man should abstain from killing any living being.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Acharanga Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

The soul is its own friend and its own enemy.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

A man who is averse from harming even the wind knows the sorrow of all things living.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Acharanga Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

As a great warrior is not afraid of a battle, so should a monk not be afraid of death.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

The first step towards liberation is non-violence.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Acharanga Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

He who conquers himself conquers the world.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

Do not be proud of wealth, people, relations, or youth; time takes all away in a moment.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

The soul is born alone and dies alone; no one shares another’s karma.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

He who knows one’s own soul knows the souls of all beings.

Circa 6th century BCE — From the Jain scriptures (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)

Controversial Unverifiable

Sayings by Mahavira