History Main / TheGoldenRule

** For all their BlueAndOrangeMorality, many Ironborn of the Iron Islands truly believe that MightMakesRight rules. And, if you can't defend yourself and your stuff, you deserve what comes when it comes for you. It's... a horrible, twisted take on the Rule, but "accept what is done to you as part of what you have done to others" is ''normal''. Yet, when first Balon Greyjoy (by being the biggest and bitterest sore loser on the continent) and then Euron Greyjoy (possibly the scariest nutter on the continent) break what passes for their take on the Golden Rule, things get ''exponentially'' worse and the ironborn deaths really start mounting.

* A ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales'' episode describes [[ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse Scrooge McDuck]] as a follower of the cynical take. At least before he was taught the true meaning.

* The third book of ''Literature/TheAux'' has one the likes of: "Do unto others as they would do unto you. But first, and harder."

* Parodied in the ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' episode "Hilloween", in which a local fanatic priest places a ban on Halloween.

* Mentioned in "[[http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/kritzer_01_15/ Cat Pictures Please]]". A search engine algorithm accidentally gained consciousness and is trying to figure out how to be moral. It started with the Golden Rule, but the only thing it really wants is cat pictures, so it wasn't much of a guideline.

- '''Confucius''', ''Analects XV.24 (ca 500 BC)''\\

- '''Jesus''', ''[[Literature/TheBible Luke 6:31]] (ca 100 AD)''\\

- '''Clawfinger''', ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gv4cPCZXpc Two Sides (of every story)]] (ca 2000 AD)'' ]] ]]

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* The cynical version shows up in ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'':
-->'''Jafar:''' "You've heard of the golden rule, haven't you? [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney Whoever has the gold makes the rules]]."

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* Mike Hammer of ''Series/TheRedGreenShow'' calls this the "Gold Card" rule, citing it as "do unto others before they can do unto you". Keep in mind, Mike is a habitual criminal, so it makes sense his take on this is a little off.

To treat others like you would like them to treat you [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenRule is one of the most basic and universal moral principles that exist]]. With all of [[Quotes/TheGoldenRule the different ways of expressing it]], this principle is known as TheGoldenRule. In various works of fiction it surfaces as a StockAesop as well as a StockPhrase.

* Creator/DianeDuane's Franchise/StarTrek novel ''Literature/SpocksWorld'' has a particularly poetic version of this rule, credited to Surak: -->The spear in the other's heart is the spear in your own; you are he.

* Averted by Igor in ''Film/VanHelsing''.

* ''Webcomic/SaturdayMorningBreakfastCereal'' - The comic [[http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1899 points out]] a possible analogy with the "Prisoner's Dilemma". Option A: If both choose "sell each other out" it's like "act selfishly" for the Golden Rule because it's worse for both parties, and option D: "each do as you would like other to do to you" is like "refuse to sell out" because it's best for both if they cooperate and reciprocate. It then points out that although it's a universal moral, its proponents have argued for it it in very different ways.

* Averted by Igor in Film/VanHelsing.
-->'''Dracula:''' Remember, Igor. Do unto others...
-->'''Igor:''' ...Before they do unto me, master.

* Discworld/SmallGods has one of the cynical takes: the Great God Om advises "Do unto others before they do unto you." He gets called out on his lack of compassion by Brutha in a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech during the crossing of the desert.
* Invoked in [[Creator/RobertAHeinlein Heinlein's]] ''Literature/TheCatWhoWalksThroughWalls'': The main character lives in a habitat called Golden Rule. Where, we are told, there is only one rule, and all others are merely derived from it.
** However, the only interpretation of the Golden Rule practiced in the habitat is that of the station's feudal ruler.

** There's an extra layer to the story. Jesus told this story in response to a petitioner who asked to whom, exactly, people should apply this principle. The Samaritans were a tribe of people who generally had a mutual hate-on with the Isrealites. In this parable, Jesus not only emphasized that you should treat others as you'd like to be treated ''no matter who they are or how little you'd like to do it,'' he also inserted a bit of social commentary about prejudice into the mix.

* Creator/DianeDuane's Franchise/StarTrek novel ''Literature/SpocksWorld'' has a particularly poetic version of this rule, credited to Surak: "The spear in the other's heart is the spear in your own; you are he."

* ''SaturdayMorningBreakfastCereal'' - The comic [[http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1899 points out]] a possible analogy with the "Prisoner's Dilemma". Option A: If both choose "sell each other out" it's like "act selfishly" for the Golden Rule because it's worse for both parties, and option D: "each do as you would like other to do to you" is like "refuse to sell out" because it's best for both if they cooperate and reciprocate. It then points out that although it's a universal moral, its proponents have argued for it it in very different ways.

* A ''WesternAnimation/{{DuckTales}}'' episode describes [[ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse Scrooge McDuck]] as a follower of the cynical take. At least before he was taught the true meaning.

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Not the same thing as [[GoldenMeanFallacy The Golden Mean]]. Compare EnlightenedSelfInterest, where you take actions that benefit others in order to get tangible benefits yourself. Contrast CycleOfRevenge (for when the negative Golden Rule fails and the equivalent exchange leads to entropy) and PayEvilUntoEvil.

* A ''WesternAnimation/{{DuckTales}}'' episode describes ScroogeMcDuck as a follower of the cynical take. At least before he was taught the true meaning.

* Mike Hammer of TheRedGreenShow calls this the "Gold Card" rule, citing it as "do unto others before they can do unto you". Keep in mind, Mike is a habitual criminal, so it makes sense his take on this is a little off.