Aphorism Series: Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
1. Reading: Onore no hossezaru tokoro wa, hito ni hodokosu koto nakare
2. Meaning: Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.
This saying is known as the "Silver Rule" and illustrates the importance of acting from the perspective of others.
3. Source: The Analects (Yan Yuan 12:2, Wei Ling Gong 15:24)
When Zhonggong asked about benevolence (ren), Confucius replied, "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.." This teaches that compassion—not doing to others what you would dislike being done to yourself—is the foundation of benevolence.
Original Text
Zhonggong asked about benevolence. The Master said, "When you go out, treat everyone as if you were receiving a distinguished guest; when you employ the people, do so as if you were officiating at a great sacrifice.Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. Then there will be no resentment in the state, and no resentment in the home." (Zhòng gōng wèn rén. Zǐ yuē, chū mén rú jiàn dà bīn, shǐ mín rú chéng dà jì. Jǐ suǒ bù yù, wù shī yú rén. Zài bāng wú yuàn, zài jiā wú yuàn.)
Modern Translation Zhonggong asked, "What is benevolence?" Confucius replied, "When you leave your home, act with the same courtesy as if you were meeting a noble guest, and when you have people work for you, act with the same caution as if you were performing a great ritual.
Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself. If you do this, you will not be resented in the country, nor will you be resented in your home."
5. Wei Ling Gong 15:24
When Zigong asked, "Is there one word that one can practice throughout one's entire life?" Confucius replied, "That is 'shu' (empathy)," and cited "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire" again as its specific content.
Original Text
Zigong asked, "Is there one word that one can practice throughout one's entire life?" The Master said, "That is 'shu' (empathy).Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.." (Zǐ gòng wèn yuē, yǒu yī yán ér kě yǐ zhōng shēn xíng zhī zhě hū. Zǐ yuē, qí shù hū. Jǐ suǒ bù yù, wù shī yú rén.)
Modern Translation Zigong asked, "Is there one word that is worth practicing for one's whole life?" Confucius replied, "That is 'shu,' which means empathy.
Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.."
These two sources show that this aphorism occupied a central position in the teachings of Confucius, and it is clear that it is linked to the two important concepts of benevolence (ren) and "empathy (shu)."