“Do Unto Others?”

We all know the “Golden Rule” –  ” Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  It possibly was derived from the earlier statement by Hillel (110bce-10ce) “‘What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.”  They are similar and indeed are “Golden Rules”, yet there  are subtle differences.

Homework Assignment

essay question (do not turn in)

Is there a difference in these two maxims, and if so, how are they different?

Here is a perhaps not so subtle difference in looking at Hillel’s statement.  If everything happens for a reason (and it does) then maybe your experiences with “what is hateful to you”, are reminders for you of  “do not do to your fellow”.  Even more so, perhaps it’s a reminder to do the opposite.

Homework Assignment 2

Make a list of “what is hateful to you”.

Then for each one ask  yourself

1.why do you find that hateful or hurtful?

2.do you do that to others?

3.What would be the opposite?

4.When could you employ the opposite?

When you do the opposite, chances are you will experience less of “what is hateful to you”.  Even if that doesn’t happen, you will still be happier.  Remember “Nice Guys Finish Happy”  See the Kind Or In-Kind series