Health & Fitness
The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule plays an important part in our lives, for it is how we treat one another. It is the basis of civility. Norman Rockwell painted "The Golden Rule" in 1961.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Recently, I visited the Library and went to see the . It is a nice addition to the library and fitting that it is placed near the religious book section. The Freedom of Worship is an essential part of our American Democracy. I love the idea of having prints from that Rockwell painted displayed in Monroe. The Four Freedoms connect with an important part of our history in WW II and continue to remind us of those freedoms that we hold so dear (freedom of speech, of worship, freedom from want, from fear).
If I may be so bold, I would like to propose that on the pillar near the new Rockwell print, another of his prints, the one he did on the Golden Rule, be placed. The Freedom of Worship gives us the ability to practice the Golden Rule whether we are from a faith tradition or not.
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The Golden Rule is the basis of how we treat one another. It is civility. It is decency. It is just. You can find it (or something like it) in many different religious scriptures. Here is a sample:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ~ Judaism and Christianity. Bible, Leviticus 19.18
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. ~ Christianity. Bible, Matthew 7.12
Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. ~ Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13
A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated. ~ Jainism. Sutrakritanga 1.11.33
Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence. ~ Confucianism. Mencius VII.A.4
One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire. ~ Hinduism. Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8
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Norman Rockwell painted "The Golden Rule" in 1961 and it is a beautiful painting of people from all over the world, representing so many different religions. I think it would fit in quite nicely in the Library. Civility and the Golden Rule go hand in hand, and I think it holds a special place in the ethics of our lives.
So what do you think? Should it be displayed? Should it be a gift from all the religious communities of Monroe?
