Originally posted by DoctorScribblesAlthough it is not the only, nor the first, version—
His Golden Rule wasn't a bad heuristic.
1. Let no man do to another that which would be repugnant to himself. (Hindu, the Mahabharata, circa 500 BCE)
2. That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn. (Rabbi Hillel; circa 60 BCE-20 CE)
3. Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Jesus: circa 4 BCE-29 CE; Luke 6:31.)
4. An it harm none, do as you will. (Wiccan Rede.)
I think the negative versions (“do not do” ) are an important counter-balance to the positive version (“do” ). Have you ever wanted to say to anyone, “Please stop doing to me?”
I also think that Jesus' "positive" version is a good counter-balance to the others.