was du nicht willst, dass man dir tu, das füg auch keinem andern zu

German

Etymology

Literally, “Don’t do to others what you don’t want done to yourself.” The phrase is a calque of Latin quod tibi non vis fieri, alteri ne feceris, which has been ascribed to Severus Alexander. Possibly based on the golden rule (Matthew 7:12), but at least associated with it later on. Compare Dutch wat gij niet wilt dat u geschiedt, doe dat ook een ander niet.

The spelling of dass or das in the second clause varies in practice, but the correct form is the conjunction. Compare an alternative phrase with a preposition, such as wovon du nicht willst, dass man spricht, which shows that it cannot be an accusative pronoun. The form tu is third-person singular present subjunctive (short for tue).

Pronunciation

Audio: (file)

Proverb

was du nicht willst, dass man dir tu, das füg auch keinem andern zu

You should treat others as you want to be treated by them.