Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you.

Source:

Zhong Gong asked Ren. Confucius said: "When you go out, you are like seeing a distinguished guest, and when you treat your people, you are like receiving a great sacrifice. Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you. There is no resentment in the country, and no resentment at home." Zhong Gong said: "Although Yong is not sensitive, he asks for things in such a way. "——"The Analects of Confucius·Yan Yuan"

Translation:

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Confucius's student Zhong Gong asked Confucius how to behave in a humane way? Confucius immediately replied: "A person You should treat people seriously, don't impose things you don't like on others, and don't complain whether in government or in public. "Zhong Gong thanked him: "Although I am slow, I must keep your words in mind."

Don’t impose things on others that you don’t want to bear. "Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you" is a principle first expressed by Confucius, the founder of Confucianism. That is to say, when you ask others to do something, you must first be willing to do it yourself, or if you can do it like others, then you will feel at ease with your request. The popular understanding is that if you cannot do it yourself, you cannot ask others. Do it.

What this sentence reveals is an important principle in dealing with interpersonal relationships. What Confucius said is that people should treat others based on their own behavior. People should have a broad mind and never be narrow-minded when dealing with others. Instead, they should be magnanimous and tolerant.

If you force others to do what you don’t want, it will not only damage the relationship with others, but also make things stalemate and get out of hand. This principle should indeed be adhered to in interactions between people. This is a reflection of respecting others and treating others equally. In addition to paying attention to your own existence in life, you must also pay attention to the existence of others. Everyone is equal. Do not do to others what you do not want to do to others.

Extended information

“Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you.” This is a universal concept. The reason why this sentence is recognized all over the world is because it profoundly reveals and advocates equality of human nature.

As long as we return to this concept, we will find that all kinds of unequal treatment that have occurred among human beings in the past, from harm to others to violations of countries to countries, are because we only consider ourselves. , and never consider others in the same way.

If you can consider others, how can you be so cruel? No. I am used to thinking about myself, and I have too many interests and goals. For these goals, if I need to sacrifice one person or even a group of people, I feel that it is appropriate. This is the bad logic that inevitably results from self-interest.

Whenever, if you can try to think about others, you will have the opportunity to open up your heart of kindness. This concept comes from the Analects: Zigong asked his teacher Confucius, is there one word that I can practice throughout my life? Confucius said: "Forgiveness! Don't do to others what you don't want others to do to you." That's "forgiveness". Don't do to others what you don't want to bear.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia - Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you