By Digoy Fernandez
SOME friends of mine are sick of the daily fare as far as news is concerned, because of the incessant bombardment one gets about murder, mayhem, corruption in government, the decline in public and private morals, public and private scandals, and chicanery that businessmen often engage in. Probably, the comic pages remain as one of the few remaining redeeming features of the daily news. Today, we have people who would manipulate events — causing the loss of lives and the introduction of yet more misery to an already overburdened people – just to create scenarios that would keep them in power.
Oblivious to the stern justice they would have to face on the Day of Judgment, they go about their nefarious ways. One day, however, they will be called to account for every peso stolen, every life taken, every person made miserable, every law broken.
In many a good book, one learns that one reaps what one sows. Other faiths believe in the Law of Return, where one reaps a hundred-fold whatever good or bad he or she does in life.
One of the most quoted rules is that which we Christians refer to as the Golden Rule: Do not do unto others what you would not want to have done to you. Interestingly, I picked up similar quotations to this Golden Rule as taught by other faiths or sublime teachers. Consider the following:
Lord Buddha: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful (Udana Varga) 5, 18)
Confucious: Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you (Analects 15, 23)
Hinduism: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you (Mahabharata 5, 1517)
Taosim: Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss (Tai Shang Kan Ying P’ien)
Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself (Suna)
Jewish Talmud: What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man (Shabbat 32id)
This set of similar teachings applies to both the private and public sectors, and also to the conduct of one’s personal life. It is also a good guiding principle for those who believe that social responsibility is all embracing and should not be confined to the narrow concept of corporate or private philanthropy.
6 Feedbacks on "The golden rule: a universal law"
Lava Bien
Bro. Digoy Fernandez,
Good piece! You’ve quoted most religion’s core view on this writing and their chapter and verse form their own holy books.
I’m curios though as to where in the Bible did it say, your quote “One of the most quoted rules is that which we Christians refer to as the Golden Rule: Do not do unto others what you would not want to have done to you”?
I can’t seem to find this in the Bible but I do know Jesus said , love thy neighbor.
Thanks, more power!
Mervin Villeza
Hi, just want to comment that Jesus did not say, “Do not do unto others what you would not want to have done to you.” Rather, he encourages us to be more pro-active by saying ““All things, therefore, that YOU want men to do to YOU, YOU also must likewise do to them; this, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean.” What Jesus said in Mathew 7:12 is more meaningful. The first quote, which is similar to other, wise men had said, is more on the negative action. It tells us to refrain from doing negative things to others, but the question is do we do good things. In Jesus quote, he implied that not doing bad thing is not enough; we have to be pro-active, be the first to do good things to other people.
But you are right, there are only few people following the Golden Rule.
Lilian
The above saying is absolutely right. But many people would still pursue undertakings regardless whether the golden rules applies in the name of profit, personal advancement, or personal belief in order to achieve a “me” goal. In this day and age, more people have become ruthless and unethical chasing their wildest dream even if it is at the expense of others. Sounds familiar? In the Philippines alone, many public servants(with the exception of a few) sit in their butts pretending to serve the common interest of people but in reality they are more interested in living and retiring comfortably later without sweating alot just enjoying their status to an easy access to the public funds aimed to help uplift the lives of the poor. I just wonder what it would be like if they switch position for awhile? How would the other party feel being in the shoes of the less fortunate. Would it make them think and be more responsible in fulfilling their duties for what they are being called for?
cecilio decolongon
The Golden Rule is the equivalent of the Law of Interaction in the physical realm. Social dynamics is to human interaction what is mechanical dynamics in physics. Every bouncing off of atoms, every angle, all are accounted for. There’s no scaping it.
a
The hard and sad fact of the real world is that the golden rule is ” He who holds the gold rules”
Morogulf
The Golden Rule have no doubt that it is commendable to any particular beliefs. Islam, Christianity and that of the Jewish adhere to the these basic principle and became a form part of their tenets. But the question is “Why”Still injustice prevails around the world. My answer is ” Because Man is a gargarious Being” Unsatisfied…Look at the case of the Bangsamoro people in South of the Philippines. They were historically free and independent nation before the so called Philippine Independence in 1946. But still they are oppress and victims of injustice by the its colonizer-the Philippines. Emperial Manila doesn’t want to grant their freedom and right to self determination. The later beieve that their economy might put into risk if the Moro’s were granted to became master of their own.Maybe leaders in Manila or Filipino’s were full of griddy. If such, let us ask our self…are we with thoose people?I know some are not with those individuals. If not, had we did something to restore the injustice committed against our brothers in the South. If none, the Golden Rule is only in the pen, never in our hearts. With that, let us be reminded that life in this world is not but just a temporary. Kapatid May panahon pa para magbago ng pananaw sa Buhay. Peace be with You all!
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