Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Golden Rule

There is near unanimity of opinion among almost all religions, ethical systems and philosophies that each person should treat others in a decent manner.  Almost all groups have passages in their holy texts, or writings of their leaders, which promote the Ethic of Reciprocity.  The most commonly known version in North America is the Golden Rule, often expressed as "Do onto others as you would wish them do onto you."   Sometimes I need a reminder of how best to live every moment of every day in deed and thought.

Christianity:  "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
Luke 6:31, King James Version. 
Buddhism:  "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18
Judaism:   "...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Leviticus 19:18
Islam:  "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths."
 
Photo taken of mosaic ceiling in St. Mark's Basilica, Venice, Italy.