Golden Rules © Branches magazine
An ethic of reciprocity is a moral value common to almost all people throughout history.
Do not unto others what is injurious to yourself.
ZOROASTRIAN, SHAYAST-NA-SHAYAST 13.29, about 1000 BCE
The successes and losses of your neighbor will be to you as if they were your own.
TAOIST, T'AI-SHANG KAN-YING P'IEN, about 600 BCE
One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
JAINIST, MAHAVIRA, SUTRAVITANGA, about 550 BCE
Do not offend others as you would not want to be offended.
BUDDHIST, UDANAVARGA 5:18, about 500 BCE
Is there any rule that one should follow all of one's life? Yes! The rule of the gentle goodness: That which we do not wish to be done to us, we do not do to others.
CONFUCIANIST, ANALECTAS 15:23, about 500 BCE
Everything you should do you will find in this: Do nothing to others that would hurt you if it were done to you.
HINDU, MAHABARATA 5:1517, about 150 BCE
Do not do harm to your fellow creature. This is the whole law; the rest is only commentary.
JEWISH, TALMUD SHABBAT 31a, about 100 CE
In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.
CHRISTIAN, MATTHEW 7:12, 1st century CE
None of you shall be true believers unless you wish for others the same that you wish for yourself.
ISLAMIC, SUNNATT, 7th century CE
I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.
SIKH, GURU GRANTH SAHIB 1299, 1600 CE
Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things that you would not desire for yourself.
BAHA'I, BAHA'U'LLAH GLEANINGS, 19th century CE
We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST, 7TH PRINCIPLE, 19th century CE
We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.
NATIVE AMERICAN, CHIEF DAN GEORGE, 20th century CE
Whatever you send out returns to you threefold.
PAGAN, THREEFOLD LAW, 20th century CE
We each have obligations to present and future generations, and to the preservation, enhancement, and well-being of all life on the planet Earth.
SECULAR HUMANIST, 21st century CE
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