Most people know that one of the central tenets of Jesus Christ’s way of life was the Golden Rule. As Christianity is a religion all about forgiveness, love and living a virtuous life, the Golden Rule is a perfect mantra for the faithful to remember in order to assure that they are acting like true Christians. Jesus prescribed that his disciples use the Golden Rule as a call for action; actively do for other what they would gladly receive for themselves.
Around 600 years before Christ, however, the ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, developed his own Golden Rule. The Confucian Golden Rule was more about restraint. He argued that people should not do to others what they would not want done to themselves. Both rules suggest that we should think of others before we act, but Christ and Confucius approached it from opposite angles.
(Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, by Heinrich Hoffman c. 1889, via Creative Commons)
The Christian Golden Rule can be found in the New Testament of the Bible. Matthew 7:12 states, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Zondervan NIV Bible). Jesus preached the rule near the start of the 1st century CE, but it was never put on paper before the gospels began to be written decades after Jesus’ crucifixion. The Gospel of Matthew (which includes the Golden Rule) was written in the 80s CE.[i] The Golden Rule found in Matthew is arguably one of the most influential lines of the Bible, fueling much of the missionary mentality found in the Christian church. The rule asks Christians to do to others what they desire for themselves—including salvation.
(Confucius c. 1770, Creative Commons)
Confucius had a similar, but inverted, idea of the Golden Rule centuries before Jesus. Thought to have lived in the turn of the 6th century into the 5th century BCE, Confucius roamed China teaching the aristocracy how to be wise gentlemen.[ii] Confucius’ Golden Rule can be found multiple times in his Analects. In Book V of the Analects, Confucius wrote, “What I do not want others to do to me, I have no desire to do to others.”[iii] In Book XII, he states the rule again. “Do not do to others what you would not like yourself.”[iv] While Jesus’ rule calls for Christians to act when they may feel hesitant, Confucius’ rule restrains people from acting rashly or selfishly. The missionary example remains telling—whereas a Christian may feel drawn to do door-to-door missionary work, a Confucian who did not enjoy the experience of evangelists ringing his doorbell at odd hours would, in turn, decide not to use such obtrusive tactics when preaching of Confucianism.
(Statue of Confucius, via Creative Commons)
[i] Joseph H Lynch. Early Christianity: A Brief History. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Pg 5.
[ii] The Analects of Confucius translated by Arthur Waley. New York: Random House, Inc (Vintage Books), 1989. Pg. 16.
[iii] The Analects of Confucius translated by Arthur Waley. New York: Random House, Inc (Vintage Books), 1989. Pg. 110.
[iv] The Analects of Confucius translated by Arthur Waley. New York: Random House, Inc (Vintage Books), 1989. Pg. 162.
The Golden Rule
ReplyDelete… the ethic of reciprocity …is found in the sacred scriptures of almost every religion in the world. It has been called the most concise and general principle of ethics people can live by.
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Jesus
We should conduct ourselves toward others as we would have them act toward us. Aristotle 384 BCE
And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself. Baha’i Epistle to Son of the Wolf
Cherish reciprocal benevolence, which will make you an anxious for another’s welfare as your own. Aristippus of Cyrene 365 BCE
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Buddhism The Buddha
We are as much alive as we keep the Earth alive. Aboriginal Chief Dan George
All things whatsoever ye would then men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Christianity Matt 7:12
‘Shu’: do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.” Confucianism Analects
Do not unto another that you would not have him do unto you. Thou needest this law alone. It is the foundation of all the rest. Confucius 500 BCE
This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain. Hinduism The Mahabharata
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Islam Hadith
In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self. Jainism
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Judaism The Talmud
Whatever thou hatest thyself, that do not to another. Judaism
Do not to your neighbour what you would take ill from him. Pittacus 650 BCE
What you wish your neighbours to be to you, be also to them. Sextus (Pythagorean) 406 BCE
Don’t create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone Sikhism. Guru Arjan Devji, 259
Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss. Taoism
Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing. Thales 464 BCE
And it harm none, do what thou wilt. Wiccan Rede
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it himself to feel how it hurts. Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)
Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others. Zoroastrianism Shayast-na