What is the original Golden Rule?

Asked by: Dr. Eula Schulist  |  Last update: May 4, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (24 votes)

The "original" Golden Rule isn't a single phrase but a universal ethical principle found across cultures, often phrased as "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (positive form) or its negative counterpart, "Do not do to others what you would not want done to you" (negative form), appearing in ancient Egypt, India, China (Confucius), Judaism, and Christianity (Jesus) and representing a core idea of reciprocity and empathy. While Jesus's version (Matthew 7:12) is very famous, the concept predates him significantly, summing up the law and prophets as treating others as you wish to be treated.

What is the first Golden Rule?

The common English phrasing is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Various applications of the Golden Rule are stated positively numerous times in the Old Testament: "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD."

What is the old Golden Rule?

The most familiar version of the Golden Rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Moral philosophy has barely taken notice of the golden rule in its own terms despite the rule's prominence in commonsense ethics.

What is the real Golden Rule?

The "real" Golden Rule is the ethical principle of treating others as you would wish to be treated, often phrased as "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," found in various forms across nearly all religions and cultures, serving as a core guide for moral conduct, empathy, and fairness, though sometimes requiring nuanced application beyond simple reciprocation. It's a fundamental concept of reciprocity that encourages kindness, respect, and consideration in human interactions, promoting harmony by asking individuals to use their own desires as a standard for how they act towards others. 

What is the official Golden Rule?

Most people grew up with the old adage: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Best known as the “golden rule”, it simply means you should treat others as you'd like to be treated.

What is the Golden Rule? | GotQuestions.org

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What did Jesus say about the Golden Rule?

Jesus explains the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." This one sentence covers all of Jesus' teachings about how to treat others. The Golden Rule requires both love and imagination.

What is the Bible verse Matthew 7:12?

Matthew 7:12 in Other Translations

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

What are the two golden rules?

You know them both: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” which is Jesus' version. And the other version: “The one who has the most gold makes the rules.” I am not sure who this latter version is attributed to, but all too often it feels like this version of the Golden Rule has the upper hand.

What is the Golden Rule in the KJV Bible?

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you: do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

What is the Golden Rule in the Bible Luke?

In the Bible, the Golden Rule is found in Luke 6:31, where Jesus teaches, "Do to others as you would have them do to you," urging followers to treat others with the same kindness and respect they desire for themselves, a principle also echoed in Matthew 7:12. This teaching encourages empathy and is a foundational ethical principle for Christian morality, extending to loving enemies and showing compassion beyond simple reciprocity, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan. 

What is the famous golden rule?

The Golden Rule, a universal ethical principle, teaches us to treat others as you would want to be treated yourself, emphasizing empathy, respect, and fairness by projecting your own desires for kindness and consideration onto your actions towards others, a concept found across cultures and religions. It's about putting yourself in someone else's shoes, ensuring your behavior aligns with the positive treatment you'd hope to receive.
 

What is Jesus version of the Golden Rule?

Here's what Jesus actually said: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). God bookends the Golden Rule. He is the first word (“so”) and the final word (“for this is the Law and the Prophets”).

What is the universal golden rule?

The Golden Rule is often described as 'putting yourself in someone else's shoes', or 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'(Baumrin 2004). The viewpoint held in the Golden Rule is noted in all the major world religions and cultures, suggesting that this may be an important moral truth (Cunningham 1998).

Is the Golden Rule written in the Bible?

In Matthew 7:12, it says, “so whatever you wish that others would do to you do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets.” That is to say the golden rule summarizes the teaching of the law of Moses, and all the divinely inspired writings of the Old Testament prophets as well.

What are the 7 golden rules of sharing?

Necessary, proportionate, relevant, adequate, accurate, timely and secure: Ensure that information you share is necessary for the purpose for which you Page 2 are sharing it, is shared only with those individuals who need to have it, is accurate and up-to-date, is shared in a timely fashion, and is shared securely (see ...

What do Jews believe about the Golden Rule?

In Judaism, the rule is exemplified in the biblical obligation to ​“love your neighbor,” which was adopted by Rabbi Hillel to mean that which is hateful unto you do not unto others. Jesus interpreted the rule to mean ​“do unto others” and brought it to great fame and prominence.

What does Jesus say about the Golden Rule?

Did you know that the “golden rule” comes straight from the Bible? Matthew 7:12 says, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them”.

What are the 7 Jesus rules?

What Are the 7 Commands?

  • Repent & Follow Jesus. Command: Mark 1:15 | Story: Luke 7:36-50.
  • Be Baptized. Command-Matthew 28:19 | Story: Acts 8:26-39.
  • Pray. Command: Matthew 6:9-13 | Story: Matthew 6:9-13.
  • Make Disciples. Command: Matthew 28:19-20 | Story: John 4:4-42.
  • Love. ...
  • Lord's Supper. ...
  • Give.

What is the most important rule in the Bible?

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He [Jesus] said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

What is the true golden rule?

The "real" Golden Rule is the ethical principle of treating others as you would wish to be treated, often phrased as "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," found in various forms across nearly all religions and cultures, serving as a core guide for moral conduct, empathy, and fairness, though sometimes requiring nuanced application beyond simple reciprocation. It's a fundamental concept of reciprocity that encourages kindness, respect, and consideration in human interactions, promoting harmony by asking individuals to use their own desires as a standard for how they act towards others. 

What is the 3 golden rule?

The "3 Golden Rules" vary by context, commonly referring to treating others as you want to be treated (ethics/life) or specific accounting principles (debit receiver/credit giver, debit what comes in/credit what goes out, debit expenses/credit income). Other versions focus on time management (organize, don't delay, be on time) or financial success (save first, plan for future, invest).
 

What is the only golden rule?

It is a rule that aims to help people behave toward each other in a way that is morally good. The Golden Rule is often written as, ''treat others how you want to be treated'' or, ''do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

What are some real-life examples of the Golden Rule?

Here are 30 examples:

  • See the good in people. Make people feel special.
  • Be the first to give. Give for the right reason — and that is, give for no reason at all.
  • Play by the rules. Don't cut in line. ...
  • Listen to others. Communicate. ...
  • Be unbiased. ...
  • Keep an open mind. ...
  • Give people a chance. ...
  • Make every collaboration win-win.

Why is Matthew 17:21 taken out of some bibles?

Matthew 17:21 is missing from some Bibles because it doesn't appear in the earliest and most reliable ancient manuscripts, with scholars believing it was a later scribal addition, likely copied from Mark 9:29 to harmonize the Gospel accounts; modern translations omit it or place it in footnotes based on this textual evidence, while older versions like the KJV included it due to relying on later manuscripts that contained the inserted text. 

What is the Golden Rule in Luke 6 31?

Luke 6:31 is a core biblical teaching known as the Golden Rule, stating, "Do to others as you would have them do to you," a principle encouraging empathy, kindness, and treating people with the same love and respect you desire for yourself, even extending to loving enemies. It's a call for active, positive behavior, not just avoiding harm, challenging followers to a higher standard of generosity and love.