Socretes Plato

Finding the same pearls of wisdom from different cultures and from different time periods leads one to believe that they are a reflection of truth. Take four quotes from different time periods and different cultures listed below and show how they interrelate to lead to a statement of truth( in your own words) that would direct both a person and a society to live a life of integrity (virtue).   Socrates and Plato would argue that finding truth leads to living that truth and thus the development of virtues both individually and as a society. You can use examples from personal experience or observations to support your premise. You may want to do some research. Note that each one has a different focus. Yet, the different focus leads to the same place. If you follow the quote your actions will lead to a similar virtue. If society follows the quote, society will be acting in the same way as the individual. Loving, wishing, hating, and respecting can lead us to a similar virtue.

 

Bible: Matthew 7:12.  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

 

Bahai:  Epistole to the Sun of the Wolf.  “And if thy eyes be turned to justice, choose then for thy neighbors that which then thou choosest for thyself.”  

 

Buddhism: Udana-Varga 5:18. “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”

 Samyutta nikaya v 353 “A state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?”

 

Confucianism: Doctrine of the Mean. Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.  

Anttalects 15:23 “What I do not wish men to do to me, I do not wish to do to men.”

 

Ancient Egyptian: Tale of the Eloquent Pheasant. ”Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him then to do. “ 

 

Hindu: Mahabharata 5: 15-17. “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.”

 

Native American: Great Law of Peace. “Respect for all life is the foundation.”                                                          

Prima Proverb. “Do not wrong your neighbor. Foe it is not he who you wrong but yourself. “ 

Black Elk. “All things are our relatives, what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All are really one.”  

 

Islam: 13 of Imam Al-Nawawi’s Porty Hadith.  â€œNone of you believes until he wishes for his brothers what he wishes for himself”

 

Judaism: Leviticus 19:18 “ Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”

Tobit 4:15 “ And what you hate, do not do to anyone”