I recently received a newsletter from the Josephson Institute of Ethics and really enjoyed this article on the Golden Rule. If you like it please visit the Josephson Institute of Ethics and sign up for their newsletter and you too can enjoy this valuable information which you will not find anywhere else.
About 2,500 years ago the Chinese philosopher Confucius was asked, "Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one`s life?" He answered, "Reciprocity. What you do not want done to you, do not do to others." Some version of this fundamental moral principle can be found in virtually every major religion.* Today, most of us know it as the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
*Here are classic forms of the golden rule:
Confucius: What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others.
Aristotle: We should behave to others as we wish others to behave to us.
Judaism: What you dislike for yourself, do not do to anyone.
Hinduism: Do nothing to thy neighbor which thou wouldst not have him do to thee thereafter.
Islam: No one of you is a believer unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
Buddhism: Hurt not others with that which pains thyself.
Christianity: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.