Treat others as you would want to be treated. This principle appears in virtually every major religious tradition, expressed in positive or negative form.
Shared by {count} traditions
Of all the ethical principles shared across humanity's spiritual traditions, none is more universal than what we call the Golden Rule. In some form, it appears in every major religion and philosophy—a remarkable convergence suggesting something fundamental about human moral intuition. The principle takes two forms: positive ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you") and negative ("Do not do to others what you would not want done to you"). Confucius articulated the negative form five centuries before Jesus taught the positive version. Both lead to the same place: recognizing that the other person's experience matters as much as your own. What makes this principle so powerful is its simplicity. It requires no elaborate theology, no complex philosophy. It asks only that you use your own desires and aversions as a guide to how others might want to be treated. Your fear of pain becomes a reason not to cause pain. Your desire for respect becomes a reason to respect others. Yet its simplicity is deceptive. Truly living by the Golden Rule requires imagination—the ability to genuinely consider what another person might want, which may differ from what you want. It requires humility—recognizing that your preferences aren't universal. And it requires action—not just avoiding harm, but actively doing good.
Χριστιανισμός
Jesus made this principle central to his teaching: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12). For Christians, the Golden Rule flows from the command to love your neighbor as yourself.
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. — Matthew 7:12"
الإسلام
Prophet Muhammad taught: "None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." This hadith makes the Golden Rule a matter of authentic faith—you cannot claim to believe while treating others worse than you treat yourself.
"None of you has faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. — Hadith (Bukhari)"
हिन्दू धर्म
The Mahabharata states: "This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you." Dharma—right action—fundamentally means treating others as you would be treated.
"This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. — Mahabharata"
Secular humanists embrace the Golden Rule as a rational foundation for ethics without supernatural authority. Philosopher Peter Singer argues for an 'expanding circle' of moral consideration. The principle appears in every culture because it works—reciprocity is the basis of cooperation and social trust.
Thomas Huxley, who coined 'agnosticism,' was deeply ethical despite metaphysical uncertainty. Bertrand Russell advocated treating others well based on shared humanity, not divine command. Whether or not God exists, the Golden Rule remains a practical foundation for living together.
बुद्ध धर्म
The Buddha taught: "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." This teaching is grounded in the recognition that all beings share the same wish to be happy and free from suffering.
"Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. — Udana-Varga"
中國傳統宗教
In Chinese Traditional Religions, the Golden Rule is expressed through the fundamental recognition that all beings deserve the same consideration you give yourself.
Ìsìn Àtọwọ́dọ́wọ́
In African Traditional Religions, the Golden Rule is expressed through the fundamental recognition that all beings deserve the same consideration you give yourself.
Ìsìn Ìbílẹ̀ Afrika
Ubuntu philosophy teaches: "I am because we are." Your wellbeing is inseparable from the wellbeing of your community. To harm another is ultimately to harm yourself.
ਸਿੱਖੀ
Guru Granth Sahib teaches: "As you see yourself, see others as well; only then will you become a partner in heaven." Recognizing yourself in others is the foundation of ethical life.
Espiritismo
Allan Kardec's 'The Spirits' Book' (1857) states: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Spiritism teaches that we reincarnate into different conditions—the oppressor may become the oppressed. Treating others well recognizes we are all spirits on a journey of moral progress.
יַהֲדוּת
Rabbi Hillel, asked to summarize the Torah while standing on one foot, said: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and learn it." The Golden Rule is the Torah's essence.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. — Rabbi Hillel, Talmud"
بهائی
Bahá'u'lláh wrote: "Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself." The Bahá'í Faith goes beyond the Golden Rule to advocate actually putting others first—a "platinum rule."
Maçonaria
Freemasonry teaches 'meeting on the level'—all members, regardless of social status, are equals in the Lodge. The working tools symbolize moral lessons: the 24-inch gauge reminds us to portion our time for the relief of distressed brethren. Brotherly love extends beyond Lodge walls to all humanity.
زرتشتی
The Shayast-na-Shayast states: "Whatever is disagreeable to yourself, do not do unto others." Good thoughts, good words, and good deeds begin with treating others as you wish to be treated.
Dingir
Ancient Sumerian wisdom texts advised: 'Do not return evil to your enemy; requite with kindness the one who does evil to you.' The concept of me (divine order) included harmonious social relations as a sacred duty.
nṯr.w
In Ancient Egyptian Religion, the Golden Rule is expressed through the fundamental recognition that all beings deserve the same consideration you give yourself.
ntr.w
The Egyptian concept of Ma'at (cosmic order and justice) required treating others fairly. The 'Eloquent Peasant' tale teaches that justice must be shown to all. In the afterlife judgment, having treated others well was weighed.
diĝir
In Sumerian Religion, the Golden Rule is expressed through the fundamental recognition that all beings deserve the same consideration you give yourself.
Begin each morning by setting an intention: today, I will treat every person I encounter the way I would want to be treated. Make this a conscious commitment before you leave your home. When you feel irritation rising—in traffic, in a queue, with a difficult coworker—pause and ask: "How would I want to be treated if I were causing this frustration?" Often, the person annoying you is tired, stressed, or unaware of their impact, just as you sometimes are. Practice the "newspaper test": before any significant action affecting others, imagine it being reported in the newspaper with you as the recipient rather than the actor. Does it still feel right? Extend the Golden Rule beyond individuals to systems. When voting, shopping, or making business decisions, ask: "If I were affected by this policy or practice, would I find it fair?" At day's end, reflect: Where did I succeed in treating others as I'd want to be treated? Where did I fall short? What blocked me? This daily review builds the habit of ethical awareness.