The Golden Rule - Ryle 1856

This is a golden rule indeed!(J. C. Ryle,1856)

“And ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them.” Luke 6:31

Jesus here lays down a general principle for our guidance in all doubtful questions between man and man.

We are not to deal with others as others deal with us. This is mere selfishness and heathenism.

We are to deal with others as we would like others to deal with us. This is real Christianity.

This is a golden rule indeed! It does not merely forbid all petty malice and revenge, all cheating and deceit. It does much more. It settles a hundred difficult points, which in a world like this are continually arising between man and man.

It prevents the necessity of laying down endless little rules for our conduct in specific cases. It sweeps the whole debatable ground with one mighty principle. It shows us a balance and measure, by which every one may see at once what is his duty.

Is there a thing we would not like our neighbor to do to us? Then let us always remember, that this is the thing we ought not to do to him.

Is there a thing we would like him to do to us?
Then this is the very thing we ought to do to him.

How many intricate questions would be decided
at once, if this rule were honestly used!