<P> Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC--65 AD), a practitioner of Stoicism (c. 300 BC--200 AD) expressed the Golden Rule in his essay regarding the treatment of slaves: "Treat your inferior as you would wish your superior to treat you ." </P> <P> According to Simon Blackburn, the Golden Rule "can be found in some form in almost every ethical tradition". </P> <P> A rule of altruistic reciprocity was first stated positively in a well - known Torah verse (Hebrew: ואהבת לרעך כמוך ‬): </P> <P> You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your kinsfolk . Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD . </P>

Treat others as you would want to be treated