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About this quote

What does it mean?
Following the Golden Rule requires imagining yourself in another person's situation.
In plain terms
To treat others well you must imagine being in their place.
What can you take from it?
Use empathy to guide how you treat others.

Where it applies

  • moral decisions
  • conflict resolution
  • social interactions

Putting it to work

  • practice perspective taking
  • ask how others feel
  • apply golden rule

Questions to consider

  • How do you imagine others experiences?
  • When did empathy change your action?

Another view

Imagining another place does not guarantee accurate understanding of their needs.

More from Harry Emerson Fosdick

  1. 'The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.'

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  2. 'Whatever you laugh at in others, laughs at yourself.'

    Permalink to quote #32
  3. 'The steady discipline of intimate friendship with Jesus results in men becoming like Him.'

    Permalink to quote #29

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