golden rule

American  

[gohl-duhn rool] / ˈgoʊl dən ˈrul /

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.”

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golden rule British  

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

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golden rule Idioms  

1. see under do unto others.

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Etymology

Origin of golden rule

First recorded in 1550–60

Example Sentences

Etiquette expert Antoinette Akanji's has another golden rule: regift outside your social circle.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

Papperger had broken a golden rule of dealing with the U.S. government: Never announce anything related to the sharing of technology without first getting approval.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

Historically, the game has followed a golden rule.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

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

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2025

The most commonly accepted, or at any rate the most commonly preached, of all formulas is the "golden rule," "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

From The Book of Life by Sinclair, Upton

Related Words

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