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#187 Goldmine of Golden Rules

Ah, The Golden Rule.

The concept is found in nearly every religion and philosophy. It's hard to get a more concise principle of ethics, eh?

Check out the parallels in the teachings below.

"And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself." ~ Baha?'í, from Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, 30

"Hurt not others with that which pains yourself." ~ Buddhism, from Udana-Varga

"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." ~ Christianity, from The Bible, Matthew 22:36-40

"Tzu-kung asked, 'Is there a single word which can be a guide to conduct throughout one's life?' The Master said, 'It is perhaps the word 'shu.' Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” ~ Confucius, from The Analects

"This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain." ~ Hinduism, from The Mahabharata

"No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. " Islam, from Hadith

"A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated. " ~ Jainism, from Sutrakritanga 1.11.33

"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." ~ Judaism, from Talmud, Shabbat 31a

"One [who is] going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts." ~ Nigerian proverb

"Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others." ~ Zoroastrianism, from Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29