The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule
(or ethic of reciprocity)
The Golden Rule, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,
which Jesus gave in his Sermon on the Mount, is found in some form
in the scriptures or sacred texts of nearly every religion and philosophy.
Baha'i Faith
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
Buddhism
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.1
Christianity
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.
Christ Jesus, Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31
Confucianism
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
Hinduism
This is the sum of duty:
do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
Mahabharata 5:1517
Islam
Not one of you truly believes until you
wish for others what you wish for yourself.
The Prophet Muhammad, 13th of the 40 Hadiths of Nawawi
Jainism
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 neighbour.
This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a
Native Spirituality
We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.
Chief Dan George
Sikhism
I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me.
Indeed, I am a friend to all.
Guru Granth Sahib, pg. 1299
Taoism
Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain
and your neighbour's loss as your own loss.
Lao Tzu, T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218
Unitarianism
We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Unitarian principle
Wiccan
Bide the Wiccan Rede ye must,
In perfect love and perfect trust
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfils
An ye harm none do what ye will.
from the religious tradition of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
Someone going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird
should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts
Zoroastrianism
Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29
RE: The Golden Rule
Can I add one in Principled?
Bide the Wiccan Rede ye must,
In perfect love and perfect trust
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfils
An ye harm none do what ye will.
Different Wiccans translate this to mean different things (in a similar way that different Christian denominations translate the bible) but to me it means that live your life as you will but that every action you make has an impact on something or someone else. Think before you act and accept the consequences of those actions.
BB
Lyssa
RE: The Golden Rule
Thanks Lyssa, that's great and it's been added!
Judy
RE: The Golden Rule
Thanks Judy!
I found this article on the Golden Rule today and thought it might make a nice addition to this thread. It also brings out how to deal with the reverse side of the coin:
[url]A simple (but golden) rule[/url]
But what about the exact opposite of good will: indifference, rudeness, disdain, lack of concern for others, cruelty? What about road rage, abuse, violence in families, schoolseven churches? How do we react in these situations?
Well, none of these should be ignored. But when we encounter them, we can't allow ourselves to be pulled into reciprocal bad behavior. Practicing the Golden Rule can provide the opportunity to turn things around. Why? Because it is based on a spiritual stance that refuses to accept that ungodlike behaviorthat anger, frustration and hate are normal. The Golden Rule provides the opportunity for us to treat everyone with the same respect and dignity we expect and want for ourselves. It supports the desire to live a more unselfish and loving life.
Love and peace,
Judy