Abrahamic Religions
Christianity
- Matthew 7:12 – Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7, Verse 12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
- Luke 6:31 – Gospel of Luke, Chapter 6, Verse 31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
- Mark 12:31 – Gospel of Mark, Chapter 12, Verse 31
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- John 13:34-35 – Gospel of John, Chapter 13, Verses 34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Judaism
- Leviticus 19:18 – Torah, Book of Leviticus, Chapter 19, Verse 18
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Talmud, Shabbat 31a – Oral Tradition
“What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn.”
Islam
- Hadith (Nawawi’s Forty Hadith, Hadith 13)
“None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
Eastern Religions
Buddhism
- Udana-Varga 5:18
“Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”
Hinduism
- Mahabharata (Anusasana Parva, Section CXIII)
“One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one’s own self. This, in brief, is the rule of righteousness.”
Jainism
- Acaranga Sutra
“One who disregards ethics and treats others as he would not wish to be treated himself acts wrongly and not rightly.”
Eastern Philosophical Traditions
Confucianism
- Analects 15:23
“Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.”
Other Religious Traditions
Sikhism
- Guru Granth Sahib
“Treat others as you would have them treat you.”
Baha’i Faith
- Writings of Baha’u’llah
“Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.”
Zoroastrianism
- Dadistan-i-Dinik
“That nature only is good when it is helpful to others and does not injure them.”
Indigenous and Philosophical Traditions
Native American Wisdom
- A common saying among various tribes
“Respect for all life is the foundation of a good life.”
Archaeological and Ancient Sources
Ancient Egypt
- Papyrus of Ani (Egyptian Book of the Dead)
“Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do.”
Ancient Greece
- Pittacus of Mytilene (c. 640-568 BCE)
“Do not do to your neighbor what you would take ill from him.”
Comparative Analysis
The universality of the Golden Rule suggests a fundamental human ethical insight that transcends cultural, religious, and geographical boundaries. Each tradition expresses the core principle slightly differently, but the essence remains consistent: empathy, reciprocity, and mutual respect form the cornerstone of ethical behavior.
Key observations:
- The principle appears in virtually every major world religion and philosophical tradition
- The formulation varies between positive (“do unto others”) and negative (“do not do to others”) constructions
- The rule typically implies treating others with the same respect, kindness, and consideration one would desire for themselves
This comprehensive list demonstrates that the Golden Rule is not just a religious concept, but a fundamental human ethical principle that has emerged independently across different cultures and time periods.
