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About this quote

What does it mean?
Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself, reflecting a universal rule of conduct.
In plain terms
Treat others the way you want them to treat you.
What can you take from it?
The golden rule provides a simple guide for ethical behavior by empathizing with others.

Where it applies

  • personal ethics
  • conflict resolution
  • teaching morality

Putting it to work

  • guiding daily choices
  • resolving disputes
  • teaching children

Questions to consider

  • Do others always want what you want?
  • How do you apply this when needs differ?

Another view

This assumes all people share the same desires and preferences.

More from Thomas Hobbes

  1. Moral philosophy is nothing else but the science of what is good, and evil, in the conversation, and society of mankind. Good, and evil, are names that signify…

    Permalink to quote #31
  2. For the Lawes of Nature (as Justice, Equity, Modesty, Mercy, and (in summe) Doing To Others, As Wee Would Be Done To,) if themselves, without the terrour of so…

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. That a man be willing, when others are so too, as farre-forth, as for Peace, and defence of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all …

    Permalink to quote #30

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