Most of us were raised with some version of The Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

The Golden Rule teaches that we should treat others as we, ourselves, would wish to be treated. This basic ethic is repeated in a multitude of variations in the texts of all the great religions of the world. And, really, what else is there to say?

BAHÁ’Í
If thou lookest for justice, choose thou for others what thou chooses for thyself.

BUDDHISM
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.

CHRISTIANITY
As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

CONFUCIANISM
Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you.

GNOSTICISM
If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.

HINDUISM
This is the sum of all true righteousness: deal with others as thou wouldst thyself be dealt by. Do nothing to thy neighbor, which thou wouldst not have him do to thee after.

ISLAM
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

JAINISM
Indifferent to worldly objects, a man should wander about, treating all creatures in the world as he himself would be treated.

JUDAISM  
What is hateful to you do not to others. That is the entire Law, all the rest is commentary.

NATIVE AMERICAN
The Universe is the Mirror of the People, and each person is a Mirror to every other person.

SIKHISM
As thou deemest thyself, so deem others; then shalt thou become a partner in Heaven.

SHINTOISM
Irrespective of their nationality, language, manners and culture, men should give mutual aid, and enjoy reciprocal, peaceful pleasure by showing in their conduct that they are brethren.

TAOISM
The good man ought to pity the malignant tendencies of others; to rejoice over their excellence; to help them in their straits; to regard their gains as if they were his own, and their losses in the same way.

WICCA
And ye harm none, do what ye will, lest in thy self-defense it be, ever mind the rule of three.

ZOROASTRANISM
That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self.

There is an important caveat here. Notice that there are endless permutations on the theme “Do Unto Others What You Would Have Others Do Unto You.” Or, “Love They Neighbor as Thyself.” Not one — not one single one — says anything like “Love They Neighbor More than Thyself.”

It is very clear that love of thy neighbor is predicated on the assumption of love for thyself. How can we, after all, love humanity as a whole and not love ourselves? Are we not included? If we are not human, what are we? Some slug-like subspecies? Deities on high, exempt from the human struggle? Rocks?

Imagine the world full of people who honor their own sacred worth and grant that same respect to every other person on Earth.

What a golden world it would be.

Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
– Lucille Ball
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Donna Henes is the author of The Queen of My Self: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife. She offers counseling and upbeat, practical and ceremonial guidance for individual women and groups who want to enjoy the fruits of an enriching, influential, purposeful, passionate, and powerful maturity. Consult the MIDLIFE MIDWIFE™

The Queen welcomes questions concerning all issues of interest to women in their mature years. Send your inquiries to thequeenofmyself@aol.com.