do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

the Golden Rule, one of the most universally attested ethical principles in human moral traditions, appearing in virtually identical form in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and numerous indigenous moral philosophies; the rule operationalises empathy as a guide to action: before acting toward another person, imagine how you would wish to be treated in their position and act accordingly; philosophers note the rule's limitation — it assumes that others share your preferences, which may not be true — and the Silver Rule (do not do unto others what you would not wish done to you) is sometimes preferred as a less presumptuous formulation; as a practical ethical guide, the Golden Rule has proven extraordinarily durable across cultures because it requires no theological commitment and can be grasped by anyone capable of perspective-taking