Mahavira

All living beings are endowed with consciousness.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Acaranga Sutra

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Acaranga Sutra

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest mistake of a soul is non-recognition of its real self and can only be corrected by recognizing the real self.

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

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Conquer anger by forgiveness, pride by humility, deceit by straightforwardness, and greed by contentment.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Uttaradhyayana Sutra

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Look at the world with the eyes of a friend.

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

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Respect for all living beings is Jainism.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Unknown, a summary of his teachings

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Killing any living being is killing oneself.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Acaranga Sutra

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Know thyself, and thou shalt know the universe and God.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Unknown, attributed to Mahavira, though similar to Socratic philosophy

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The soul is the perceiver, enjoyer, and doer of all actions.

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

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One who knows himself, knows God.

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

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Non-violence is the highest religion.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Uttaradhyayana Sutra

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All souls are equal and alike and possess the same nature and qualities.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Acaranga Sutra

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The real self is beyond all forms of karma.

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

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Every living being, great or small, possesses a soul.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Acaranga Sutra

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A living body is not merely an accumulation of flesh and bones, but it is the abode of the soul.

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

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The soul is pure, eternal, and full of infinite knowledge, vision, power, and bliss.

circa 5th-6th century BCE (core teaching) — Samayasara (a later text reflecting Mahavira's teachings)

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Attachment is the root of all suffering.

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

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One should not be negligent even for a moment.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Uttaradhyayana Sutra

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All things are impermanent, and the soul is eternal.

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

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The ignorant, who are attached to the world, suffer from misery and pain.

circa 5th-6th century BCE — Acaranga Sutra

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Sayings by Mahavira