Core tenet of Confucianism
Humaneness (ren) is the measure of a person.
What you do not wish for yourself, do not impose on others — stated five centuries before the Golden Rule's better-known phrasing.
Understanding it — context, not catechism: how this passage is held
Ren is written as the character for person beside the character for two: it is what happens between people, not a quality one possesses alone. Translators have tried humaneness, benevolence, goodness, and authoritative conduct without settling it. Confucius refused to define it, giving different answers to different students — to one, love others; to another, overcoming yourself and returning to ritual. The refusal is instructive: ren is a direction of development, and the answer depends on where the student currently is.
The same ground, other faiths
claims that share this one's ideas
Ahimsa — do no harm.
Hinduism · precept
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Compassion extends to all sentient beings.
Buddhism
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Micchami dukkadam.
Jainism · rite
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Guard the tongue.
Judaism · precept
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Love of God and neighbor is the whole law.
Christianity
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Your parents have a claim on you.
Islam · precept
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