Ethics and Morality by Swami Sivananda

Ethics are the basis of spiritual life. Without ethics, philosophy is wishful thinking and religion meaningless. Life without ethics is a living death. A character without ethics is like salt-less dish. Morality coexists with ethics or spirituality. Unintelligent seekers blunder in attempting to reach Samadhi through meditation as soon as they take to the spiritual path, without caring a bit for ethical virtues. Tolerance, absence of anger, greed and lust, unprovocable patience imply morality

Having sacred baths daily and worshipping at the shrine regularly, attending or conducting Ramayana or Bhagavatha may, no doubt, aid one's spiritual aptitude. Bit, if you do not fulfil the fundamentals of ethics and morality, all the above observances would no way ensure Self-realisation. Therefore, first and foremost, please look to the rudiments of ethics and morality.

(pgs. 135-136, Sermonettes of Swami Sivananda)

"...morality is the basis of spiritual life...Practice of morality leads to purity of hearty, and attainment of Self-realisation. Without morality, you will become a spiritual bankrupt.

"Without ethical perfection, there is no spiritual progress. Without spiritual progress, there is no emancipation. Ethical perfection comes through the practice of Yama and Niyama. Asanas and Pranayama form the second stage. Concentration and meditation form the third stage. Samadhi is the summum bonum. Thus, the human soul aspiring after perfection goes from stage to stage and finally merges itself in the blissful glory of the highest union. Aim, therefore, at moral perfection. Spiritual success is half achieved through strong moral foundation.

"Always bear in mind that the primary condition of success in the spiritual life is an earnest longing for purity. So, be sincere and very earnest in your Sadhana and strive for purification and sound ethical culture." (pg. 116, Ethical Perfection)

"Right from the very beginning of your spiritual life, you must understand clearly that in true humility, sincere desire to root out  gradually pride, egoism and jealousy earnest and unceasing introspection to find out one's own defects and improve oneself, lies your hope of progress. Without this, all sorts of Sadhana become a delusion and a waste." (pg. 98, Ethical Perfection)