The Golden Rule

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

Today's Gospel passage from the Lectionary for Mass presents us with three proverbs or sayings which St. Matthew places on the lips of Jesus. Nestled in the middle of this group is one that many would identify as the Golden Rule. Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:13) In secular circles, this proverb is identified as the Rule of Reciprocity. In its religious context, it appears in the writings of all the major religions. So much a part of our human tradition, the Golden Rule has even been studied by psychologists and sociologists as well as ethicians and philosophers. While we might think of this as something Jesus first uttered, we have to admit that it also appears in ancient texts that even predate the Hebrew Scriptures. Here are a few examples:

Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss. (Taoism)

That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn. (The Talmud)

As you would have people do to you, do to them; and what you dislike to be done to you, don't do to them. (Muhammad)

One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one's own self. (Hinduism)

What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others. (Confucius)

Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. (Buddhism)

Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not. (Bahai)