8 Examples of the Golden Rule

John Spacey, updated on September 24, 2023

The golden rule is a moral principle that can be summarized treat others and you would like to be treated. This is a remarkably common rule in multiple cultures indicating that it may have spread from culture to culture in antiquity. It can also be argued that it was simply intuitive to multiple cultures. The following are examples of the golden rule from multiple traditions.

Christianity

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
~ Matthew 7:12

Islam

None of you can truly be said to believe until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself.
~ Riyadh-as-Saliheen by Imam Al-Nawawi, volume 2, hadith number 236

Judaism

That which is hateful to you do not do to another; that is the entire Torah, and the rest is its interpretation. Go study.
~ The William Davidson Talmud

Confucianism

What you do not want others to do to you, do not do unto others.
~ Confucius, Analects XV:24

Hinduism

This is the sum of duty. Do not unto others that which would cause you pain if done to you.”
~ Mahabharata 5:1517

Taoism

Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss.
~ T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien

Stoicism

Treat your inferior as you would wish your superior to treat you.
~ Seneca the Younger, Letter 47

Jainism

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

Origin

The golden rule is very clearly stated by Confucius (above) who lived 551 to 479 BCE. If the rule has a single cultural origin, you could argue that this may be it.