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Are there any positive statements of the golden rule in extra-biblical literature?

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What is commonly called the golden rule is stated by Jesus in Matthew 7:12: > In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for > this fulfills the law and the prophets. (NET) Commentators often notice that the golden rule appears in extra-biblical literature, but often in negative form. For example, Ben Witherington states: > Jesus was by no means the first or only person to come up with a > version of the Golden Rule. There is the famous saying of Rabbi > Hillel, for example: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your > neighbor: that is the whole Torah, while the rest is commentary on it; > go and learn” (b. Sabb. 31a cf. Tob 4.15; 2 En. 61.1-2). It is worth > pointing out that Jesus insists on a positive formulation of the > maxim, where as other forms of it, both Jewish and Greco-Roman (cf. > Isocrates Nic. 61; Herodotus 3.142), tend to be negative. Are there any positive statements of this principle to be found in extra-biblical literature? (Excluding, of course, Christian literature or later literature influenced by Christianity)
Asked by למה זה תשאל לשמי (1210 rep)
Feb 13, 2017, 07:50 AM
Last activity: Feb 14, 2017, 12:02 AM