michael han

The Universality of Moral Law: Part 1 - The Law of General Goodness

by Michael Han, 2 years ago
Sat, July 10, 2010 1:58 PM | natural law | 0 comments

I have not slain men.

Ancient Egypt: the Book of the Dead, the Confession of the Righteous Soul

Do not murder.

Ancient Israel: Exodus 20:13

Terrify not men or God will terrify thee.

Ancient Egypt: Precepts of Ptahhetep

In Nastrond (hell) I saw ... murderers.

Old Norse: Volospa, 38, 39

I have not brought misery upon my fellows. I have not made the beginning of every day laborious in the sight of him who worked for me.

Ancient Egypt: the Book of the Dead, the Confession of the Righteous Soul

I have not been grasping.

Ancient Egypt: Ibid.

Who meditates oppression, his dwelling is overturned.

Babylonian: Hymn to Samas

He who is cruel and calumnious has the character of a cat.

Hindu: Laws of Manu

Slander not.

Babylonian: Hymn to Samas

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Ancient Israel: Exodus 20:16

Utter not a word by which anyone could be wounded.

Hindu: Ibid.

Has he... driven an honest man from his family? broken up a well cemented clan?

Babylonian: List of Sins from incantation tablets

I have not caused hunger. I have not caused weeping.

Ancient Egypt: Ibid.

Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you.

Ancient China: Analects of Confucius

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart.

Ancient Israel: Leviticus 19:17

He whose heart is in the smallest degree set upon goodness will dislike no one.

Ancient China: Analects of Confucius

Nature urges that a man should wish human society to exist and should wish to enter it.

Ancient Rome: De Officiis by Cicero

By the fundamental Law of Nature Man [is] to be preserved as much as possible.

Locke: Treatises of Civil Government

When the people have multiplied, what next should be done for them? The Master said, Enrich them. Jan Ch'iu said, When one has enriched them, what next should be done for them? The Master said, Instruct them.

Ancient China: Analects of Confucius

Speak kindness ... show good will.

Babylonian: Hymn to Samas

Men were brought into existence for the sake of men that they might do one another good.

Ancient Rome: De Officiis by Cicero

Man is man's delight.

Old Norse: Havamal, 47

He who is asked for alms should always give.

Hindu: Ibid.

What good man regards any misfortune as no concern of his?

Ancient Rome: Jevenal, xv. 140

I'm a man: nothing human is alien to me.

Ancient Rome: Terence, Heaut. Tim.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Ancient Israel: Leviticus 19:18

Love the stranger as yourself.

Ancient Israel: Ibid. 33, 34

Do to men what you wish men to do to you.

Christian: Matthew 7:12