Whatever you wish that others would do to you.
The Golden Rule, in full, with no exceptions.
The episode in a glance.
- 01This is the Law and the Prophets boiled down to one sentence.
- 02It's proactive — you treat others well first, not in response.
- 03The standard is your own standard — how would you want to be treated?
- 04This rule covers every relationship you'll ever have.
Read along.
Matthew 7:12 — 'Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.' This is the Golden Rule in its fullest form.
Jesus says this 'is the Law and the Prophets.' The entire Old Testament, summed up in one sentence. Every command, every prophecy, every story — it all points here.
And it's proactive. 'Do also to them.' Not 'treat them how they treat you.' Not 'wait until they earn it.' Start with how you'd want to be treated, and treat them that way first.
The standard is your own standard. Would you want to be forgiven? Forgive. Would you want to be listened to? Listen. Would you want the benefit of the doubt? Give it. That's the whole law, right there.