Golden Rule
| African Traditional Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria) |
Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria) One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.Yoruba: (Nigeria): “One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.” |
| Baha’i | Arabic Hidden Words 29 Oh Son of Being! Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it. Epistle to Son of Wolf, 30 And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself. Kitab-I-Aqdas 148 …..wish not for others what ye wish not for yourselves;…. Tablets of the Baha’u’llah, 71 It is Our wish and desire that every one of you may become a source of all goodness unto men, and an example of uprightness to mankind. Beware lest you prefer yourself above your neighbours. Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, 315 “Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not.” “Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.” Baha’u’llah “And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself.” Epistle to the Son of the Wolf Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself. – Baha’u’llah, Gleanings |
| Brahmanism | This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you”. Mahabharata, 5:1517 |
| Buddhism | Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,1Majjhima Nikaya 1.415 Is there a deed, Rahula, thou dost wish to do? Then bethink thee thus: Is this deed conducive to my own harm, or to others harm, or to that of both? Then is this a bad deed entailing suffering. Such a deed must thou surely not do. Samyutta Nikaya v.353 The Ariyan disciple thus reflects, Here am I, fond of my life, not wanting to die, fond of pleasure and averse from pain. Suppose someone should rob me of my life… it would not be a thing pleasing and delightful to me. If I, in my turn, should rob of his life one fond of his life, not wanting to die, one fond of pleasure and averse to pain, it would not be a thing pleasing or delightful to him. For a state that is not pleasant or delightful to me must also be to him also; and a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another? As a result of such reflection he himself abstains from taking the life of creatures and he encourages others so to abstain, and speaks in praise of so abstaining. Sigalovada Sutta 31 Sutta Nipata 705 Tripitaka Udana-varga 5:18 One should seek for others the happiness one desires for one’s self. Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Undana -Varga: 518 …a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another? Samyutta NIkaya v. 353 Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” Udana-Varga 5:18 Hurt not others in ways that you would find hurtful. Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. – The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18 |
| Christianity | All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1Gospel of Thomas 6 …..and don’t do what you hate….. Luke 6.30-31 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 10:25-28 Matthew 7.12 Matthew 22.36-40 Romans 13:8-10 Galatians 5:14 As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Luke 6:31 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. Matthew 7:12 …and don’t do what you hate…, Gospel of Thomas 6 All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 KJV) “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31 KJV) In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. – Jesus, Matthew 7:12 |
| Confucianism | Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2Analects 15.23 Tse-kung asked, “Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?” Confucius replied, “It is the word ‘shu’ — reciprocity. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” Doctrine of the Mean 13.3 (Li Ki 28.1.32, SBE 38.305) When one cultivates to the utmost the principles of his nature, and exercises them on the principle of reciprocity, he is not far from the path. What you do not like when done to yourself, do not do to others. The Great Learning 10.2 Mencius VII.A.4 Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindess: Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you. Analects, XV, 23 “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you” Analects 15:23 “Tse-kung asked, ‘Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?’ Confucius replied, ‘It is the word ‘shu’ — reciprocity. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.'” Doctrine of the Mean 13.3 Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you. One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct. . . loving kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. – Confucius, Analects 15.23 |
| Greek Antiquity, ca. 470-399 BCE | Socrates Do not do to others that which would anger you if others did it to you. Do not that to a neighbor which you shall take ill from him. Plato: “May I do to others as I would that they should do unto me.” (Greece; 4th century BCE) Socrates: “Do not do to others that which would anger you if others did it to you.” (Greece; 5th century BCE) |
| Hinduism | This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata 5,1517The Ordinances of Manu Wound not others, do no one injury by thought or deed, utter no word to pain thy fellow creatures. Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8 One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire. Mahabharata, 5.1517 The true rule of life is to guard and do by the things of others as they do by their own. This is the sum of all true righteousness: deal with others as thou wouldst thyself be dealt by. Do nothing to thy neighbour which thou wouldst not have him do to thee after. “One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself” Mencius Vii.A.4 “This is the sum of duty: do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you.” Mahabharata 5:1517 This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others which if done to thee would cause thee pain. This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. – Mahabharata 5:1517 |
| Humanism | “(5) Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity.”
“(11) Humanists affirm that individual and social problems can only be resolved by means of human reason, intelligent effort, critical thinking joined with compassion and a spirit of empathy for all living beings. ” 5“…critical intelligence, infused by a sense of human caring, is the best method that humanity has for resolving problems. Reason should be balanced with compassion and empathy and the whole person fulfilled.” Humanist Manifesto II; Ethics section. |
| Islam | No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah40 Hadith of an-Nawawi 13 Not one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself. Let none of you treat his brother in a way he himself would not like to be treated. No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah “None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” Number 13 of Imam “Al-Nawawi’s Forty Hadiths.” 6 No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself. – The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith |
| Jainism | Acarangasutra 5.101-2 One who you think should be hit is none else but you. One who you think should be governed is none else but you. One who you think should be tortured is none else but you. One who you think should be enslaved is none else but you. One who you think should be killed is none else but you. A sage is ingenuous and leads his life after comprehending the parity of the killed and the killer. Therefore, neither does he cause violence to others nor does he make others do so. Agamas Sutrakritanga 1.10.13 One should treat all beings as he himself would be treated. Agamas Sutrakritanga 1.11.33 A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated. Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara “Therefore, neither does he [, a sage,] cause violence to others nor does he make others do so.” Acarangasutra 5.101-2. “In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.” Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara “A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated. “Sutrakritanga 1.11.33 In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self. One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated. – Mahavira, Sutrakritanga |
| Judaism | What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 3idLeviticus 19.18 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Tobit 4.14-15 Take heed to thyself, my child, in all thy works; and be discreet in all thy behavior. And what thou thyself hatest, do to no man. Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a Talmud, Shabbat 31a What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law, all the rest is commentary. The Talmud, Shabbat 31a “…thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”, Leviticus 19:18 “What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary.” Talmud, Shabbat 31a Whatever thou hatest thyself, that do not to another. What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. – Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a |
| Native American | The Great Law of Peace Respect for all life is the foundation. Pima Proverb Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself. “Respect for all life is the foundation.” The Great Law of Peace We are as much alive as we keep the Earth alive. – Chief Dan George |
| Persian | Do as you would be done by. |
| Roman Antiquity – ca 65 CE | Seneca: Epistle 47:11 Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your superiors. The law imprinted on the hearts of all men is to love the members of society as themselves. “The law imprinted on the hearts of all men is to love the members of society as themselves.” Seneca: “Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your superiors,” Epistle 47:11 (Rome; 1st century CE) |
| Scientology | “20: Try to treat others as you would want them to treat you.” This is one of the 21 moral precepts that form the moral code explained in L. Ron Hubbard’s booklet “The Way to Happiness.” |
| Shintoism: ca. 500 CE | Ko-ji-ki Hachiman Kasuga Be charitable to all beings, love is the representative of God. “The heart of the person before you is a mirror. See there your own form” |
| Sikhism: ca. 1500 CE | Granth Japji 21 We obtain salvation by loving our fellow man and God. Guru Arjan Devji 259, Guru Granth Sahib Don’t create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone. Compassion-mercy and religion are the support of the entire world”. Japji Sahib “Don’t create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone.” Guru Arjan Devji 259 “No one is my enemy, none a stranger and everyone is my friend.” Guru Arjan Dev : AG 1299 As thou deemest thyself, so deem others. I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all. |
| Sufism | “The basis of Sufism is consideration of the hearts and feelings of others. If you haven’t the will to gladden someone’s heart, then at least beware lest you hurt someone’s heart, for on our path, no sin exists but this.” Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh, Master of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order. |
| Taoism | Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ienT’ai-shang Kang-ying P’ien Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain and your neighbor’s loss as your loss. SBE 39.106 Recompense injury with kindness. SBE 39.91 The good man ought to pity the malignant tendencies of others; to rejoice over their excellence; to help them in their straits; to regard their gains as if they were his own, and their losses in the same way. The Thai-Shang, 3 “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.” T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien. “I am good to the man who is good to me, likewise, I am also good to the bad man.” Tao Te Ching Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss. Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. – T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien, 213-218 |
| Unitarianism | “We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent of all existence of which we are a part.” Unitarian principles. We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part. – Unitarian principle |
| Wicca | Wiccan Rede An’ it harm none, do what thou wilt. “An it harm no one, do what thou wilt” (i.e. do what every you want to, as long as it harms nobody, including yourself). The Wiccan Rede |
| Zoroastrianism | That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5SBE 24.330 Whatever thou dost not approve for thyself, do not approve for anyone else. When thou hast acted in this manner, thou art righteous. SBE 18.271 Avesta: Dadistan-i-dink 94:5 That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self. SBE 37.51 Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29 That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self. “That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself”. Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5 “Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.” Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29 That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself. |
Links
| http://www.teachingvalues.com/goldenrule.html |
| http://members.aol.com/porchfour/religion/golden.htm |
| http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1256/goldenrule.html |
| http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc.htm |
| http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/golden.html |
| http://global-forum.org/goldenrule.html |
Other
| Church of Satan | “4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates! 5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek.!” A.S. LaVey, founder of The Church of Satan, The Nine Satanic Statements. |
| George Bernard Shaw, (1903) | “Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.” |
| World Church of the Creator | “What is good for the White Race is the highest virtue; what is bad for the White Race is the ultimate sin.” Although the W.C.O.T.C. uses the term “church” they are strongly anti-Christian in belief. Their religion is based mainly upon love of the white race and hatred of everyone else, who they call members of the “mud races.” |
| And here are some of the best expressions of The Golden Rule in modern English. | 1. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 2. “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” 3. “Treat other people the way you would like to be treated.” 4. “Treat other people the way you want to be treated.” 5. “Whatever you want people to do to you, do that to them.” |
Zoroastrianism
Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
– Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29
http://www.sonic.net/mary/a-www/messages/170.html
http://www.unification.net/ws/theme015.htm
THE GOLDEN RULE
The Golden Rule or the ethic of reciprocity is found in the scriptures of nearly every religion. It is
often regarded as the most concise and general principle of ethics. It is a condensation in one
principle of all longer lists of ordinances such as the Decalogue. See also texts on Loving Kindness,
pp. 967-73.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
1. Judaism and Christianity. Bible, Leviticus 19.18
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.
2. Christianity. Bible, Matthew 7.12
Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
3. Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13
A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.
4. Jainism. Sutrakritanga 1.11.33
Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the
shortest way to benevolence.
5. Confucianism. Mencius VII.A.4
One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the
essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire.
6. Hinduism. Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8
Tsekung asked, “Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?” Confucius
replied, “It is the word shu–reciprocity: Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.”
7. Confucianism. Analects 15.23
Leviticus 19.18: Quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22.36-40 (below). Mencius VII.A.4 and Analects
15.23: Cf. Analects 6.28.2, p. 975.
Comparing oneself to others in such terms as “Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I,” he
should neither kill nor cause others to kill.
8. Buddhism. Sutta Nipata 705
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.
9. African Traditional Religions. Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)
One who you think should be hit is none else but you. One who you think should be governed is none
else but you. One who you think should be tortured is none else but you. One who you think should
be enslaved is none else but you. One who you think should be killed is none else but you. A sage is
ingenuous and leads his life after comprehending the parity of the killed and the killer. Therefore,
neither does he cause violence to others nor does he make others do so.
10. Jainism. Acarangasutra 5.101-2
The Ariyan disciple thus reflects, Here am I, fond of my life, not wanting to die, fond of pleasure and
averse from pain. Suppose someone should rob me of my life… it would not be a thing pleasing and
delightful to me. If I, in my turn, should rob of his life one fond of his life, not wanting to die, one fond
of pleasure and averse from pain, it would not be a thing pleasing or delightful to him. For a state
that is not pleasant or delightful to me must also be to him also; and a state that is not pleasing or
delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?
As a result of such reflection he himself abstains from taking the life of creatures and he encourages
others so to abstain, and speaks in praise of so abstaining.
11. Buddhism. Samyutta Nikaya v.353
A certain heathen came to Shammai and said to him, “Make me a proselyte, on condition that you
teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot.” Thereupon he repulsed him with the rod which
was in his hand. When he went to Hillel, he said to him, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your
neighbor: that is the whole Torah; all the rest of it is commentary; go and learn.”
12. Judaism. Talmud, Shabbat 31a
Sutta Nipata 705: Cf. Dhammapada 129-130, p. 478. Acarangasutra 5.101-2: Cf. Dhammapada
129-130, p. 478. Samyutta Nikaya v.353: The passage gives a similar reflection about abstaining
from other types of immoral behavior: theft, adultery, etc. To identify oneself with others is also a
corollary to the Mahayana insight that all reality is interdependent and mutually related; cf. Guide to a
Bodhisattva’s Way of Life 8.112-16, p. 181; Majjhima Nikaya i.415, p. 465.
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first
commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two
commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
13. Christianity. Bible, Matthew 22.36-40
Matthew 22.36-40: Cf. Deuteronomy 6.4-9, p. 55; Leviticus 19.18, p. 173; Luke 10.25-37, p. 971;
Galatians 6.2, p. 974; Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.2, p. 972; Sun Myung Moon, 9-30-79, p. 150.
