golden rule

[gohl-duhn rool]

noun

1. a rule of ethical conduct, usually phrased “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” paraphrased from the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament.

2. any philosophy, guiding principle, or ideal of behavior, as in a discipline, pursuit, or business.

   The protesters agreed that their golden rule would be “no violence.”

golden rule

noun

1. any of a number of rules of fair conduct, such as Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Matthew 7:12) or thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Leviticus 19:28)

2. any important principle

   a golden rule of sailing is to wear a life jacket

3. the principle advocated by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown (in office 1997–2007) that a government should only borrow to invest

4. another name for rule of three

Word History and Origins

Origin of golden rule¹

First recorded in 1550–60

Idioms and Phrases

see under do unto others.

Example Sentences

Out on the waves, where freedom of navigation is a golden rule, the ability and appetite of coastal countries to intervene is limited, even though the risk they face is escalating.

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But Hill said that his golden rule at the first corner used to be to make no sudden movements, and many experienced racing drivers would agree.

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The Conservatives will commit to a new economic "golden rule" designed to cut government borrowing and taxes, party leader Kemi Badenoch will say in her keynote speech to the party's conference.

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Mr Bloom said the golden rule for endowment finance was that universities should not spend more than 5% of their total endowment each year.

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After living in Southeast Asia for nearly seven years, I go by the golden rule: If you see pandan on a menu, order it.

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Related Words

• assumption 
• basis 
• convention 
• doctrine 
• ethic 
• foundation 
• fundamental 
• precept 
• proposition 
• regulation 
• rule 
• truth