At the heart of our seasonal celebrations—the food, the festivities, and the familial gatherings that serve as the connective rituals of the holidays—is the universal message of peace and goodwill to all. And it is truly universal, as the various expressions of the Golden Rule noted below attest. May this holiday season, however you celebrate it, provide numerous opportunities to both give and receive sincere messages of peace and goodwill.
The Golden Rule, as expressed in the sacred traditions of
Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Hinduism
- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. –Jesus of Nazareth
- What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the law; all the rest is commentary. -Rabbi Hillel, first century BCE
- None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself. -Al-Nawawi, thirteenth century CE
- Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you. –Confucius, sixth century BCE
- A state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another? -Samyutta Nikaya (Buddhist Scripture), sixth century BCE
- This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. –Mahabharata (Hindu Epic Poem), fifth century BCE