Economics Of Mahavira: [11.11] Mahavira and Economics - Wisdom of Limitation

Two types of societies are before us - uncontrolled society and self-controlled society. We have to decide what type of society do we cherish? You do not have to seek advice from anybody. You have to ask this question to yourself. If you want an unhappy society, the uncontrolled society is the destination. If a happy and peaceful society is desired, the imperative is the self-controlled society.

In ancient times, the word samaj (society) was used for humans and the word smaj was used for the animal world:

Samajstu pashunam syata samaajstovanya dehinam.

We claim that we humans are rational beings but it is perhaps not incorrect to say that no one else has been so much unbridled as man. Ancient saints have rightly said,

"Put any quantity of fuel into fire, it will never be contended.
Any number of rivers may fall into the sea, it will not get over­filled."

Similarly, despite unlimited amount of material objects, our expectations will never get fully realized. The problem is that while we want to see others to live within limits, we do not apply the same standard to ourselves. It is a rational call of the present times that man observes restraints on its needs.