"Take from the earth only what you need." Where does that phrase come from?

Question

I think it is a Native American saying, but I'm not sure what tribe.

Answer 1

Take from the Earth only what you need. The Mother Earth will then be able to serve and support living creatures longer.”

--Lord Mahavir Jina, the 24th and last Tirthankara (great preacher, or guide) of the Jain religion

Answer 2

I'm not sure where the phrase originated, but whoever said it is right. This old earth has been used and abused for almost 5 billion years--it is no wonder she is on her last legs. People farm the land so many years in the same patterns that it has taken the nourishment out of the soil; insecticides have also been overused; fires have burned millions of acres that could have been put to better use, etc. So take what you need (as in plant only what you can eat, replenish the ground when you can, etc) but leave something for the future generations to enjoy.