The reason we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more and talk the less.
Zeno of Citium (334-262 BC) Greek philosopher, founder of the Stoics
In Diogenese Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 7.1 [tr. R. Hicks (1925)]
The horror of class stratification, racism, and prejudice is that some people begin to believe that the security of their families and communities depends on the oppression of others, that for some to have good lives there must be others whose lives are truncated and brutal.
Dorothy Allison (b. 1949) American writer and lesbian feminist
Skin, ch. 2 (1994)
Zigong asked, Is there a single word that can guide a person’s conduct throughout life?
The Master said, That would be reciprocity, wouldn’t it? What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to others.[子貢問曰、有一言、而可以終身行之者乎。
子曰、其恕乎、己所不欲、勿施於人。]Confucius (c. 551- c. 479 BC) Chinese philosopher, sage, politician [孔夫子 (Kǒng Fūzǐ, K'ung Fu-tzu, K'ung Fu Tse), 孔子 (Kǒngzǐ, Chungni), 孔丘 (Kǒng Qiū, K'ung Ch'iu)]
The Analects [論語, 论语, Lúnyǔ], Book 15, verse 24 (15.24) (6th C. BC – AD 3rd C.) [tr. Watson (2007)]
(Source)
See also 5.12. Compare to the Bible, Matthew 7:12.
Legge and other earlier translators, as noted below, identified this as 15.23.
(Source (Chinese)). Alternate translations:
Tsze-kung asked, saying, "Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life?"
The Master said, "Is not RECIPROCITY such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others."
[tr. Legge (1861), 15.23]
Tsz-kung put to him the question, "Is there one word upon which the whole life may proceed?" The Master replied, "Is not RECIPROCITY such a word? -- what you do not yourself desire, do not put before others."
[tr. Jennings (1895), 15.23. Jennings prefers translating shu as "like-heartedness" or "like-mindedness," but follows Legge.]
A disciple of Confucius enquired: "Is there one word which may guide one in practice throughout the whole life?"
Confucius answered, "The word 'charity' is perhaps the word. What you do not wish others to do unto you, do not do unto them."
[tr. Ku Hung-Ming (1898), 15.23]
"Is there any one word," asked Tzŭ Kung, "which could be adopted as a lifelong rule of conduct?"
The Master replied, "Is not Sympathy the word? Do not do to others what you would not like yourself."
[tr. Soothill (1910), 15.23; he translates shu in the notes as "the following of your good heart's prompting."]
Tze-kung asked if there were a single verb that you could practice through life up to the end.
He said: Sympathy, what you don't want (done to) yourself, don't inflict on another.
[tr. Pound (1933), 15.23]
Tzu-kung asked saying, Is there any single saying that one can act upon all day and every day?
The Master said, Perhaps the saying about consideration: "Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you."
[tr. Waley (1938), 15.23]
Tsekung asked, :Is there one single word that can serve as a principle or conduct for life?"
Confucius replied, "Perhaps the word "reciprocity" (shu) will do. Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you."
[tr. Lin Yutang (1938); see also here and here.]
Tuan-mu Tz’u inquired, “Is there one word that will keep us on the path to the end of our days?”
“Yes. Reciprocity! What you do not wish yourself, do not unto others.”
[tr. Ware (1950)]
Tzu-kung asked, "Is there a single word which can be a guide to conduct throughout one's life?"
The Master said, "It is perhaps the word "shu." Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
[tr. Lau (1979)]
Zigong asked: "Is there a single word such that one could practise it throughout one's life?"
The Master said: "Reciprocity perhaps? Do not inflict on others what you yourself would not wish done to you."
[tr. Dawson (1993)]
Zigong asked: "Is there any single word that could guide one's entire life?"
The Master said: "Should it not be reciprocity? What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others."
[tr. Leys (1997)]
Zi-gong asked: “Is there one single word that one can practice throughout one’s life?”
The Master said: “It is perhaps ‘like-hearted considerateness.’ 'What you do not wish for yourself, do not impose on others.'"
[tr. Huang (1997)]
Zi-gong asked: "Is there one single word that one can practice throughout one's life?"
The Master said: "It is perhaps 'like-hearted considerateness.' 'What you do not wish for yourself, do not impose on others.'"
[tr. Huang (1997)]
Zigong asked, "Is there a word that can be practiced in all life?"
Confucius said: "It is the forgiveness. What is not wanted by oneself, should not be forced to others."
[tr. Cai/Yu (1998)]
Zigong asked, "Is there one expression that can be acted upon until the end of one's days?"
The Master replied "There is shu: do not impose on others what you yourself do not want."
[tr. Ames/Rosemont (1998)]
Dž-gùng asked, is there one saying that one can put in practice in all circumstances?
The Master said, That would be empathy, would it not? What he himself does not want, let him not do it to others.
[tr. Brooks/Brooks (1998)]
Adept Kung asked: "Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout life?"
The Master replied, "How about "shu": never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.
[tr. Hinton (1998)]
Zigong asked, “Is there one word that can serve as a guide for one’s entire life?”
The Master answered, “Is it not ‘understanding’ ? Do not impose upon others what you yourself do not desire.”
[tr. Slingerland (2003)]
Zigong asked: "Is there a single word that can serve as the guide to conduct throughout one's life?"
The Master said, "It is perhaps the word shu. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not want."
[tr. Chin (2014); Chin translates shu as "treating others with an awareness that they, too, are alive with humanity"]
Still, if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman and author
The Second World War, Vol. 1: The Gathering Storm, ch. 19 “Prague, Albania, and the Polish Guarantee” (1948)
Perfume: Any smell that is used to drown a worse one.
Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) American writer, businessman, philosopher
The Note Book of Elbert Hubbard [ed. E. Hubbard II] (1927)
Politicians trim and tack in their quest for power, but they do so in order to get the wind of votes in their sails.
Ian Gilmour (1926–2007), British politician [Baron Gilmour of Craigmillar]
(Attributed)
In Hutchinson, The Body Politic (1969)
Women hope men will change after marriage but they don’t; men hope women won’t change but they do.
Bettina Arndt (b. 1949) Australian sex therapist, journalist, clinical psychologist
Private Lives, ch. 2 (1986)
The chessboard is the world; the pieces are the are the phenomena of the universe; the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just, and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance. To the man who plays well, the highest stakes are paid, with that sort of overflowing generosity with which the strong shows delight in strength. And one who plays ill is checkmated — without haste, but without remorse.
T. H. Huxley (1825-1895) English biologist [Thomas Henry Huxley]
“A Liberal Education and Where to Find It” (1868)
(Source)
The average man, if he meddles with criticism at all, is a conservative critic. His opinions are determined not by his reason — ‘the bulk of mankind’ says Swift ‘is as well qualified for flying as for thinking’ — but by his passions; and the faintest of all human passions is the love of truth. He believes that the text of ancient authors is generally sound, not because he has acquainted himself with the elements of the problem, but because he would feel uncomfortable if he did not believe it; just as he believes, on the same cogent evidence, that he is a fine fellow, and that he will rise again from the dead.
A. E. Housman (1859-1936) English scholar and poet [Alfred Edward Housman]
Introduction to Astronomicon of Manilius, Book 1 (1937)
Full text.
Sometimes I think I should just keep my opinions to myself, she said, but someone has got to be the voice of reason.
Brian Andreas (b. 1956) American writer, artist, publisher [birth and pen name of Kai Andreas Skye]
Trusting Soul, “Voice of Reason” (2000)
Fiction is a piece of truth that turns lies to meaning.
Dorothy Allison (b. 1949) American writer and lesbian feminist
Skin, ch. 18 (1994)
Ideas are great arrows, but there has to be a bow. And politics is the bow of idealism.
Bill Moyers (b. 1934) American journalist and public commentator
Time (29 Oct 1965)
There likewise I beheld Excalibur
Before him at his crowning borne, the sword
That rose from out the bosom of the lake,
And Arthur rowed across and took it — rich
With jewels, elfin Urim, on the hilt,
Bewildering heart and eye — the blade so bright
That men are blinded by it — on one side,
Graven in the oldest tongue of all this world,
“Take me,” but turn the blade and ye shall see,
And written in the speech ye speak yourself,
“Cast me away!” And sad was Arthur’s face
Taking it, but old Merlin counselled him,
“Take thou and strike! the time to cast away
Is yet far-off.” So this great brand the king
Took, and by this will beat his foemen down.Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) English poet
Idylls of the King, “The Coming of Arthur” (1859-1885)
Full text.
The secret thoughts of a man run over all things holy, prophane, clean, obscene, grave, and light, without shame, or blame.
Although he’s regularly asked to do so, God does not take sides in American politics.
George J. Mitchell (b. 1933) American politician, diplomat, lawyer
Iran-Contra hearings (13 Jul 1987)
Many lawyers in negotiating fall into the error of saying too much. They have not learned the power of pure silence as a response. It is natural to want to respond, to argue your point or position. The recognition that not responding, not arguing, of using silence as a negotiating tool, places one of the most efficient forces for effective negotiations in the hands of the lawyer willing to learn its use.
Arthur J. Sabin (b. 1930) American law profess, lawyer, historian, writer
“Pragmatic Aspects of Negotiations for Lawyers,” The Practical Lawyer (Jan 1986)
A simple and a proper function of government is just to make it easy for us to do good and difficult for us to do wrong.
Jimmy Carter (b. 1924) American politician, US President (1977-1981), Nobel laureate [James Earl Carter, Jr.]
Presidential nomination acceptance speech, New York City (15 Jul 1976)
He is wise who tries everything before arms.
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
Eunuchus, Act 4, sc. 7, l. 19 (l. 789)
Alt. trans.: "It behooves a prudent person to make trial of everything before arms."
Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American philosopher and writer
Journal (5 Jan 1856)
[Gambling] is the child of Avarice, the brother of Iniquity, and father of Mischief.
George Washington (1732-1799) American military leader, Founding Father, US President (1789-1797)
Letter to Bushrod Washington (15 Jan 1783)
We need grace in order to be able to live in such a way as to qualify ourselves to receive grace.
Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) English novelist, essayist and critic
“Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer — II” (1945)
I am for frank explanations with friends in cases of affronts. They sometimes save a perishing friendship, and even place it on a firmer basis than at first; but secret discontent must always end badly.
Sydney Smith (1771-1845) English clergyman, essayist, wit
The Wit and Wisdom of Sydney Smith
Every now and then a man’s mind is stretched by a new idea or sensation, and never shrinks back to its former dimensions.
The more a man judges, the less he loves.
[Plus on juge, moins on aime.]
Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) French novelist, playwright
Physiology of Marriage [Physiologie du Mariage], Part 1, Meditation 8, aphorism 60 (1829) [tr. McSpadden]
I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet
“Song of Myself” (31) (1855)
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Luke 6:31 (KJV)
Alt trans.:
- "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (NRSV)
- "Do for others just what you want them to do for you." (GNT)
See also the Bible, Matthew 7:12.
All the greatest things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: Freedom; Justice; Honour; Duty; Mercy; Hope.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman and author
United Europe Meeting, Albert Hall, London (14 May 1947)
Men who marry for gratification, propagation or the matter of buttons or socks, must expect to cope with and deal in a certain amount of quibble, subterfuge, concealments, and double, deep-dyed prevarication.
Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) American writer, businessman, philosopher
The Note Book of Elbert Hubbard [ed. E. Hubbard II] (1927)
We’d all like t’vote fer th’best man, but he’s never a candidate.
Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard (1868-1930) American caricaturist and humorist
Abe Martin’s Primer (1914)
The daily bread of grace, without which noting can be achieved, is given to the extent to which we ourselves give and forgive.
Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) English novelist, essayist and critic
“Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer — III” (1945)
The Gluttons dig their own graves with their teeth.
James Howell (c. 1594 - 1666) British historian and writer
Paroimiographia, “French” (1659)
Ask counsel of both times — of the ancienter time what is best, and of the latter time what is fittest.
Francis Bacon (1561-1626) English philosopher, scientist, author, statesman
“Of Great Place,” Essays, No. 11 (1625)
(Source)
I’ve always thought death was a lot like Christmas, he said. I can’t wait to find out if being good the whole time was worth it.
Brian Andreas (b. 1956) American writer, artist, publisher [birth and pen name of Kai Andreas Skye]
Trusting Soul, “Being Good” (2000)
The mind is the expression of the soul, which belongs to God and must be let alone by government.
Adlai Stevenson (1900-1965) American diplomat, statesman
Speech, Mormon Tabernacle Temple, Salt Lake City (14 Oct 1952)
With Pleasure own your Errors past,
And make each Day a Critic on the last.Alexander Pope (1688-1744) English poet
“An Essay on Criticism,” l. 570 (1711)
Half a league half a league
Half a league onward
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred:
‘Forward the Light Brigade
Charge for the guns’ he said
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) English poet
“The Charge of the Light Brigade,” st. 1 (1854)
Helpe thy selfe, and God will helpe thee.
George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 537 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
For more discussion of this and other closely related quotations: God helps those who help themselves - Wikipedia
Goethe says that, if you plant an oak in a flower-vase, either the oak must wither or the vase crack; some men go for saving the vase. Too many nowadays have that anxiety; the Puritans would have let it crack. So say I. If there is anything that cannot bear free thought, let it crack.
Wendell Phillips (1811-1884) American abolitionist, orator, social activist
Speech, Pilgrim Society, Plymouth (21 Dec 1855)
(Source)
When I was young, the old regarded me as an outrageous young fellow, and now that I’m old the young regard me as an outrageous old fellow.
Fred Hoyle (1915-2001) English astronomer, author
In Scientific American (Mar 1995)
In fact, nothing is ever said that has not been said before.
[Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.]
Terence (186?-159 BC) African-Roman dramatist [Publius Terentius Afer]
The Eunuch [Eunuchus], l. 41, Prologue (161 BC) [tr. Bolton (2019)]
(Source)
Alternate translations:
- "In short, there's Nothing say'd , but what before / May have been say'd." [tr. Cooke (1755)]
- "In fine, nothing can be said now, that may not have been said before." [tr. Patrick (1767)]
- "Nothing's said now, but has been said before." [tr. Coleman (1768)]
- "In fine, nothing is said now that has not been said before." [tr. Riley (1853)]
- "Ah, there is nothing new beneath the sun, / Whatever is, or may be, has been done." [tr. Rose (1870)]
- "In fact nothing is said that has not been said before." [tr. Sargeaunt (1918)]
- "The bottom line: you can't say anything that's never been said before." [tr. Christenson (2012)]
- There's nothing ever said, unsaid before. [tr. Bolton (2019), shortened Prologue]
It is not enough to be industrious; so are the ants. What are you industrious about?
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American philosopher and writer
Letter to Harrison Blake (16 Nov 1857)
Being an optimist after you’ve got everything you want doesn’t count.
Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard (1868-1930) American caricaturist and humorist
(Attributed)
Fetters of Gold are still Fetters; and silken Cords pinch.
Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Gnomologia: Adages and Proverbs, #1522 (1732)
(Source)
You may set it down as a truth which admits of few exceptions, that those who ask your opinion really want your praise, and will be contented with nothing less.
The most virtuous women have in them something that is never chaste.
[Les femmes les plus vertueuses ont en elles quelque chose qui n’est jamais chaste.]
Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) French novelist, playwright
Physiology of Marriage [Physiologie du Mariage], Part 1, Medication 4, aphorism 20 (1829) [tr. McSpadden]
He who endeavors to control the mind by force is a tyrant, and he who submits is a slave.
Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899) American lawyer, agnostic, orator
The Philosophy of Ingersoll, “Fragments” (1906) [ed. Goldthwaite]
Ashes are the work of a moment, a forest the work of centuries.
Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC-AD 65) Roman statesman, philosopher, playwright [Lucius Annaeus Seneca]
Physical Investigations, 3.27.2
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
Variants:
- Popularly, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
- NIV: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
- NRSV: "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."
- TEV: "Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets."
Note: The "Golden Rule" has been expressed in many ways by many religious and philosophical teachers. Several of these in WIST are or will be cross-referenced to this quotation (as trackbacks), not to lend it primacy, but because this is the most well-known formulation of it in the Western world, and to simplify the cross-referencing to one central point.
When I am abroad I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the Government of my country. I make up for lost time when I am at home.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman and author
Speech, House of Commons (18 Apr 1947)
The newspapers print what the people want, and thus does the savage still swing his club and flourish his spear.
Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) American writer, businessman, philosopher
The Note Book of Elbert Hubbard [ed. E. Hubbard II] (1927)
To have gold brings fear, to have none brings grief.
James Howell (c. 1594 - 1666) British historian and writer
Paroimiographia, “Italian” (1659)
He who would be friends with God must remain alone or make the whole world his friend.
Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) Indian philosopher and nationalist [Mahatma Gandhi]
An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth, 1.6 (1929) [tr. Desai (1940)]
Croesus said to Cambyses: That peace was better than war; because in peace the sons did bury their fathers, but in wars the fathers did bury their sons.
Francis Bacon (1561-1626) English philosopher, scientist, author, statesman
Apophthegms, #149 (1625)
See Herodotus.
I’m an outsider by choice, she said, but I’m hoping that won’t be my choice forever.
Brian Andreas (b. 1956) American writer, artist, publisher [birth and pen name of Kai Andreas Skye]
Trusting Soul, “Outsider” (2000)
Th’ only absolutely safe way t’ double your money is t’ fold it once an’ put it in your hip pocket.
Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard (1868-1930) American caricaturist and humorist
Abe Martin: Hoss Sense and Nonsense (1926)