The golden rule: widening the circle of concern

the golden rule; regard for one's neighbor; doing unto others

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Editorial introduction

Wish for your brother what you wish for yourself: the old rule looks simple until ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traces how a soul’s concern grows, from itself to its family, its city, its nation, and at last to the whole of humankind, which alone He calls perfection. Bahá’u’lláh applies the measure everywhere. To what we ascribe to others and what we would bear to hear said of us; to promises; to kings who rob their peoples to rear palaces; to the humble workman whose injustice weighs as heavily as a tyrant’s. Then He presses past reciprocity altogether, asking that we prefer our neighbor’s welfare to our own and seek it without thought of reward. Confucius, asked for one word to guide a life, answered with reciprocity and the refusal to impose on others what one would not want oneself ^[1]; the comparison shows both the kinship of the traditions and the further step the Bahá’í teaching takes. The circle widens next toward consorting with all in kindness and love, toward loving one’s enemies, and toward service to others.

Selected passages

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Every imperfect soul is self-centred and thinketh only of his own good. But as his thoughts expand a little he will begin to think of the welfare and comfort of his family. If his ideas still more widen, his concern will be the felicity of his fellow citizens; and if still they widen, he will be thinking of the glory of his land and of his race. But when ideas and views reach the utmost degree of expansion and attain the stage of perfection, then will he be interested in the exaltation of humankind. He will then be the well-wisher of all men and the seeker of the weal and prosperity of all lands. This is indicative of perfection.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1918-Dec-27, to Beatrice O Ashton -- AB01704)

O people of the Bayan! Fear ye all together the Day when God desireth to take what is with you and give you what He pleaseth. This is the Day of Truth. Even as ye took before, so shall ye take, and even as ye return deposits one to another, so unto Him Whom God shall make manifest shall ye return what is with you.

(The Báb, Kitab-i-Asma' (Book of Names), 1264 (late) or early 1265 [1848-1849] -- BB00003)

The children of men are all brothers, and the prerequisites of brotherhood are manifold. Among them is that one should wish for one's brother that which one wisheth for oneself.

(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-08-14 [1882-Jul-1], to Mashhadi Baqir et al -- BH00048)

Look ye upon others as ye look upon yourselves. This is the way of God, were ye among them that know.

(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-09 [1881-Jul], to Mulla Qasim -- BH06616)

Be unto others as ye are unto yourselves. Thus doth the Lord of the worlds command you.

(Bahá’u’lláh, 1293-05 [1876-May], to Karbala'i Abbas -- BH09261)

Wish not for others what ye wish not for yourselves; fear God, and be not of the prideful.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), 1290-05-15 [1873-Jul-11] -- BH00001)

Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words - Arabic, 1274 ca. [1857-1858] -- BH00386)

He must not wish for anyone that which he doth not wish for himself, nor speak that which he would not bear to hear spoken by another, nor yet desire for any soul that which he would not have desired for himself.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Javahiru'l-Asrar (Gems of Divine Mysteries), to Haji Siyyid Muhammad Mujtahid Isfahani -- BH00012)

He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfill.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Iqan (The Book of Certitude), 1278 ca. [1861-1862], to Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad, great uncle of the Bab (Khal-i-Akbar) -- BH00002)

The third word we have recorded on the third leaf of Paradise is this: "O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee, and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhi'b (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf), 1308 ? [1891], to Muhammad Taqi Isfahani (son of the Wolf) -- BH00005)

Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves; nay rather choose for them that which ye choose for yourselves.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Malikah Victoria (Tablet to Queen Victoria), 1285 ca. [1868-1869], to Queen Victoria -- BH00662)

It is Our wish and desire that every one of you may become a source of all goodness unto men, and an example of uprightness to mankind. Beware lest ye prefer yourselves above your neighbors.

(Bahá’u’lláh, 1291-02-28 [1874-Apr-16], to Muhammad Mustafa Baghdadi et al -- BH01184)

Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Kalimat-i-Firdawsiyyih (Words of Paradise), 1306-11-26 [1889-Jul-24], to Haji Mirza Haydar Ali Isfahani -- BH00111)

The difference between me and the rest is that I wish the welfare of the people for their own sakes and without any ulterior motive.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Aug-14 in Ramleh -- ABU2348)

There are also a number of individuals who are detached so far as themselves are concerned but they [are] looking after the welfare and tranquility of others. They prefer the happiness and the rest of others to their own. They do not mind if they are injured but they would feel most keenly if their fellowmen are harmed or maltreated. Their happiness is bound with that of mankind.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken on 1915-Jan-29 -- ABU2895)

A man must ever think of the protection of others and not of himself.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Haifa pilgrim house, 1914-Oct-12 -- ABU3458)

Today the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha are with those who renounce themselves, forget their own opinions, cast aside personalities and are thinking of the welfare of others.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU2867)

Man must be self-sacrificing in the service of the Cause of God and the diffusion of the Fragrances of God. Man must not be self-centered and self-occupied but public-spirited.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jun-12 in Tiberias -- ABU2553)

He never thinks of himself, never considers that he has a life in this world, and "they prefer others over themselves, even though poverty be their portion." The first sign of faith is that one person prefers another over himself. This is the first sign of sincerity.
Self-worship is the attribute of animals. An animal does not think of other animals; all its thoughts are confined to itself.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1916-Jul-10 in Haifa -- ABU0885)

Man, therefore must be self-sacrificing to such an extent; otherwise if he seeks after his own interests and [rest] he is like unto the animals.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken at Baltimore Hotel on 1913-May-23 -- ABU1566)

If a soul is not severed, if he is not pure and holy, if he is not thoughtful of others, if he is not radiant, if he is not divine, if he is not god-like and celestial, -- no one can say he is a Baha'i.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on board the SS Baron Call at sea, 1913-Dec-03 -- ABU3277)

Forget your own selves, and turn your eyes towards your neighbor. Bend your energies to whatever may foster the education of men.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Jamal-i-Burujirdi, 1290 ? [1873-1874], to Jamal Burujirdi -- BH01034)

Ye are ever thinking and mentioning how ye may kindle a light, bring a tree to fruition, illumine a heart, make an eye seeing, and make an ear hearing. This is the station of the noble ones, and this is the station of the righteous ones.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Shaykh Husayn-Ali et al -- AB04750)

Be dissolved in love, so that you may lose consciousness of everything except the good of all.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. Oct. 1911 -- ABU1805)

These are they who make peace among men and show mercy to the weak among them, and who desire not for anyone save what they desire for themselves.

(The Báb, Kitab-i-Jaza' (Book of the Reckoning), 1264-05-05 ca. (Chihriq) [1848-Apr-9], to Mulla Husayn, Quddus, 'Abdu'l-Vahhab, Aba 'Ali, Hasan, 'Azim, Yahya and others -- BB00004)

Lay not on any soul a load which ye would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things ye would not desire for yourselves. This is My best counsel unto you, did ye but observe it.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Suriy-i-Muluk (Surih to the Kings) -- BH00021)

Justice is not limited, it is a universal quality. Its operation must be carried out in all classes, from the highest to the lowest. Justice must be sacred, and the rights of all the people must be considered. Desire for others only that which you desire for yourselves.
… Each man has been placed in a post of honor, which he must not desert. A humble workman who commits an injustice is as much to blame as a renowned tyrant. Thus we all have our choice between justice and injustice.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Dreyfus home in Paris, 1911-Nov-17 -- ABU0253)

The people of the world are thinking of, by, and for themselves. They are promoting their own selfish interests and serving their own small causes. Each soul is attached to his own hobby and beating his own drum and soaring in the atmosphere of his own desire. If they speak they have some known or unknown objective point in view, if they eat and sleep they desire to be strengthened in order to advance their own ideas. In brief all their movements are dictated by obedience to self. They live, move and feel like unto the animals, self-centred, self-occupied, seeing nothing, believing in nothing beyond their five senses.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1915-May-23 -- ABU1405)

It is necessary for the rich to think of the poor during the month of Ramadan. Those souls who prefer themselves to others are tied with selfish iron bands, while those who prefer others to themselves are the benefactors of the human race.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Aug-05 in Ramleh -- ABU3338)

It must be so that each friend should prefer others to himself; the others should be first to him.
… His Holiness Christ said: 'Do unto others..', but his Holiness Baha'u'llah says--Prefer him to thyself.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Haifa Pilgrim House, 1920-Nov-16 -- ABU1004)

In all the Books, both past and future, He hath commanded that the believers and those who have turned towards Him should prefer others over themselves. They should make their paramount concern the vindication of truth and the elimination of falsehood, and should choose for their brethren what they choose for themselves.

(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306 ? [1888-1889], to Aqa Mirza Zaynul-Abidin -- BH01896)

Further quotations · supplied wording and references

Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40