The Golden Rule is a fundamental ethical principle that advocates treating others with the same respect and consideration that one desires for oneself.
It serves as a cornerstone of moral philosophy, encouraging empathy and understanding by prompting individuals to imagine themselves in another’s position. This simple yet profound concept transcends cultural and religious boundaries, emphasizing the inherent value of reciprocal altruism in fostering harmonious relationships and a just society.
The universality of the Golden Rule is evident in its presence across diverse philosophical and religious traditions throughout human history.
From the ancient Confucian concept of “shu,” meaning reciprocity, to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, and the ethical codes of various indigenous cultures, the principle echoes consistently.
Its appearance in such varied contexts suggests that the Golden Rule reflects a deep-seated human understanding of the interconnectedness of individuals and the importance of ethical conduct. Its widespread presence throughout the world’s religious and philosophical texts underscores its enduring relevance as a guide for moral behavior, promoting compassion and mutual respect as essential elements of a well-functioning community:
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
—The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5:18
Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.
—Confucius, Analects 15:23 (Ancient China)
And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.
— Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets (Bahà’í Faith)
Do to others what you want them to do to you.
—Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew 7:12 (Christianity)
It has been shown that to injure anyone is never just anywhere.
—Socrates, Plato’s Republic (Classic Greek)
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter From Birmingham Jail 21
Don’t do things you wouldn’t want to have done to you.
—British Humanist Society (Humanism)
This is the sum of dharma (duty): do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.
—Mahabharata 5:1517 (Hinduism)
No one of you is a believer until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.
—Muhammad, An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadiths 13 (Islam)
Treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
—Sutrakritanga, 1:11:33 (Jainism)
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary.
—Talmud, Shabbat 31a (Judaism)
All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All is really one.
—Black Elk (Native American Spirituality) 22
Respect for all life is the foundation.
—The Great Law of Peace (Native American Spirituality)
Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and regard your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.
—T’ai Shang Kan Yin P’ien (Taoism, Ancient China)
We affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
—Second Principle (Unitarian Universalist)
An ye harm none do as ye will.
—The Wiccan Rede
That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself.
—Dadisten-I-dinik 94:5 (Zoroastrianism)
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.
—Yoruba proverb (Nigeria)
