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I have something that I call my Golden Rule. It goes…

“I have something that I call my Golden Rule. It goes something like this: 'Do unto others twenty-five percent better than you expect them to do unto you.' … The twenty-five percent is for error.” quote by Linus Pauling
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“I have something that I call my Golden Rule. It goes something like this: 'Do unto others twenty-five percent better than you expect them to do unto you.' … The twenty-five percent is for error.”

Linus Pauling

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Treat others with a higher standard than you anticipate, allowing a margin for mistakes.

In simple terms: Treat others better than you expect, with a 25% error buffer.

Key Takeaway

Aim to exceed expectations while forgiving flaws.

Themes

ethics empathy self‑improvement

Mood

thoughtful optimistic

Type

ethical motivational

When to use this quote

  • teamwork
  • customer service
  • leadership
  • personal relationships

Key Concepts

reciprocity error tolerance golden rule

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you apply a 25% buffer without compromising standards?
  • When is it better to match expectations exactly?
A Different Perspective

May be unrealistic in high‑stakes situations where expectations must be exact.

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