golden rule
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. Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31.
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.”
Origin of golden rule
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use golden rule in a sentence
A version of the golden rule is at the heart of every religion.
A Victory for ‘Religious Freedom’ is a Loss for Religion | Gene Robinson | June 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt is a bet that the existence of the golden rule in almost every major religion is no cosmic coincidence.
“The new golden rule of democracy in Egypt has to be that the judiciary is completely independent,” says Abdellatty.
Canadians in Egyptian Jail Might Be Under Suspicion For Film Footage | Jesse Rosenfeld | October 3, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIf he had, he would know the golden rule of being interviewed by the police: ask for a lawyer and say nothing.
Their golden rule is moderation—especially in the good things.
He set down as the second the golden rule, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them.”
The Giant of the North | R.M. BallantyneWe should like very much to do business according to the golden rule.
By the Christmas Fire | Samuel McChord CrothersIn another connection, we had the benefit of the advantageous side of the golden rule.
Paris Vistas | Helen Davenport GibbonsEmerson's word fell like truth itself, "a shaft of light shot from the zenith," a golden rule of thought and action.
The Poems of Emma Lazarus | Emma LazarusHence the golden rule which follows, and hence its connection with the prayer-charter by the word "therefore."
Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew | John Monro Gibson
British Dictionary definitions for golden rule
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)
any important principle: a golden rule of sailing is to wear a life jacket
British the principle advocated by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown (in office 1997–2007) that a government should only borrow to invest
another name for rule of three
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with golden rule
see under do unto others.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse