Golden Rule
From RationalWiki
The Golden Rule is a religious and moral idea that governs the basis of many codes of conduct throughout history. Put simply, it states that the most correct way to behave is to treat all others as one would want to be treated oneself.
[edit] Historical Formulations
The principle is found throughout religious history as a guiding principle in the treatment of others.
- "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD." — Torah (ca. 1200-1500 BC) Leviticus 19:18
- "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." — Torah (ca. 1200-1500 BC) Leviticus 19:33-34
- "What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others." — Confucius (ca. 551–479 BC)
- "Since to others, to each one for himself, the self is dear, therefore let him who desires his own advantage not to harm another" Udana - Varqua, (ca. 470 BC)
- "This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others what you would not have them do unto you." — Mahabharata (5:15:17) (c. 500 BC)
- "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man." — Hillel the Elder (ca. 50 BC-10 AD)
- "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." — Jesus (ca. 5 BC—33 AD) in the Gospels, Luke 10:27
- "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." — Muhammad (c. 571 – 632 AD) in a Hadith.
- "Act with reference to every rational being (whether yourself or another) so that it is an end in itself in your maxim" - Immanuel Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals, 1785
