What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
- Source
- Analects, 15.23, trans. James Legge
- Written
- c. 5th century BC
About this quotation
A disciple asks whether there is one word that can serve as a rule of practice for all one’s life. The Master answers, “Is not reciprocity such a word?” and gives this line. The same maxim appears at 5.11 of the Analects.