Thirukkural Chapter 33- AGAINST KILLING
321. Virtue thrives in abstinence from killing. All sinful deeds arise out of killing.
322. The compassion to share and live in harmony with all that lives is the highest value of thought summerised by scholars in time.
323. Not-killing is the supreme of all the qualities and non lieing is next to it.
324. Honorable way of life is that which thinks about the ways and means to prevent killing of any living being.
325. One who refrains from killing is greater than saints and ascetics who have renounced the world fearing life.
326. Even death would not fall harsh on one who refrains from killing other beings.
327. One must certainly refrain from killing even when his dear life is threatened.
328. People of sublime qualities will hate the disgraceful act of killing, and stay away from whatever gains it may fetch.
329. The civilized and the wise consider the job of butchering as the most sinful and disgraceful indulgence in mankind.
330. Miserable poverty with dreadful diseases is the destiny of those who once led their life by killing.
From Thirukkural – Law of Mankind by Srirangam Ramesh