If humanity has a universal moral motto, it is the Golden Rule. The ancient concept illuminates a noble part of our human state: that we understand our connectedness and duty to our fellow man.
Nearly every religion or philosophy has its own version of the Golden Rule:
Buddhism: Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.
Hinduism: Do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain.
Taoism: Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain and regard your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.
Judaism: What is hateful to you do not to your fellow man; this is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary; go learn it.
Islam: No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
Zoroastrianism: Human nature is good only when it does not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self.
Jainism: In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, regard all creatures as you would regard you own self.
Confucius: What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others.
Aristotle: We should behave to others as we wish others to behave to us.
Christianity: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them”
This brilliant maxim gives each of us, regardless of education or status, a concise behavioral roadmap of how to treat each other. Moms understand the power this simple principle could unleash in our homes. We try to model the Rule for our children and hope they will practice it on each other.
As we go out into our communities, it will be instinctive to treat our neighbors with respect and look for ways to serve them. Our kindness will attract others who want to better the world and lift their fellow man. We can become the S.A.L.T. of the earth as we Serve, Appreciate, Love and Treasure those around us. The Golden Rule is a lens through which we can view our neighbors and learn to truly “see” them. It is an actionable way to live the ideal that “All men are created equal” and are “endowed with rights". “Do unto others…” will unite the community and bridge social, economic and political gaps. Moms can unify their families and influence the world by teaching this principle. The Golden Rule... rules.