The Golden Rule

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," or, in the negative form, "do not do to others what you would not have them do to you." This simple moral maxim of live and let live, the essential basis of good will in relations among and between men, in both its positive and negative forms, is called the Golden Rule. It can be traced to the origins of ethical thought in many different cultures, and can be regarded as the most basic rule governing social relationships between equals. It is a rule requiring equal treatment, fairness, a single standard applied to all alike, quid pro quo, something for something, an equal exchange, mutual respect of rights, and reciprocity. Its mutuality means that it is shared in common, granted by all to all. Its reciprocity means that it is returned. The treatment you give to others is returned by others giving the same treatment to you.