Most people believe in The Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is at the core of a civil society — the fundamental social contract that encourages good behavior and discourages bad, rude and criminal behavior.
Of course, there is no guarantee or, for that matter, law that ensures everyone will follow The Golden Rule. It is more of a suggestion — like speed limits and stop signs.
What if, The Golden Rule was more than an Utopian fantasy? Dishonesty, immorality, greed, prejudice, crime and conflict of all sorts would not exist. There’d be no more corrupt politicians, deceptive salespeople, rude waiters and inconsiderate drivers. Forget the half-joking warning about driving on Southern California freeways — Never use your blinker, that just tips them off. Through the best and worst of times, we’d all have each other’s back.
For decades, research by Gallup, CNN and USN&WP into people’s attitudes about Americans standards of behavior have showed nearly three-fourths of us are dissatisfied with the level of honesty, morality and ethics in the country.
Unfortunately, humankind’s frustration over the lack of respect for one another has resulted in little more than condemnations, commitments and prose.
SAY WHAT YOU WILL, BUT …
The reciprocal positivity of The Golden Rule is distinguished throughout history by a number of inspiring commentaries. Yet, as for any official intents and purposes, its authority is second rate — unworthy of the top 10 Commandments, with only an indirect biblical mention, and there’s no Constitutional or legal standing — which may explain the chasm between believing and following.
- The earliest known reference to The Golden Rule comes from the writings of Confucius sometime around 500 B.C. Curiously stated from a negative perspective, Confucius instructed, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”
- A couple hundred years later Aristotle offered this friendlier interpretation: “We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends to behave to us.”
- Circa single digit years A.D., Hillel wrote this neighborly advice, “What is hateful to you do not do to your neighbor.”
- The closest biblical reference comes from Matthew, who explained, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
- In 1747, the Earl of Chesterfield wrote, “Do as you would be done by, is the surest method of pleasing.”
- With respect to teaching our youth, Albert Einstein emphasized the development of morality and values: “Something more is needed to produce a truly educated person — namely, an ever-present feeling of social responsibility for one’s fellow human being.”
Clearly, The Golden Rule resonates … in principle. Yet, our actions betray our beliefs. That we cannot follow something so sublime as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” illustrates the depth of our (mis)trust in one another. If only we would practice what we preach. And mutually agree to resolve the eternal identity crisis: You are what you do, not what you say.
Very impressive research. I enjoyed the history of the phrase. Also, what a great photo!
There is abundant evidence that both the Christians and the Greeks were influenced by Buddhist teachings. There is even a theory that the Three Wise Men who came from the east and prophesied Jesus’ birth were Buddhist monks. Many Greek theologians traveled to India to seek counsel. And so it’s possible the Golden Rule may have originated under the Bodhi tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment.