---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is one word which may serve as a…"
description: "\"There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity.\" — Confucius"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/confucius-164_chakra_there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-r_1268167.jpg"
---

#  There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice…

![“There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/confucius-164_chakra_there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-r_1268167.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/confucius-164_chakra_there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-r_1268167.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/confucius-164_chakra_there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-r_1268167.jpg)

> “There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity.”

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

## About This Quote

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

Reciprocity—treat others as you wish to be treated—should guide all actions.

**In simple terms:** Reciprocity as a life rule.

Key Takeaway

Practice mutual respect daily.

Themes

ethics relationships social harmony

Mood

thoughtful balanced

Type

moral didactic

When to use this quote

- family life
- business negotiations
- community building

Key Concepts

moral philosophy golden rule

Questions to Reflect On

- How to handle unreciprocated kindness?
- When is reciprocity inappropriate?

A Different Perspective

Reciprocity can be exploited.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Chakra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chakra/) [Donation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/donation/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Kindness and compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness-and-compassion/) [Organ donation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organ-donation/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Reciprocity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reciprocity/) [Words of kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-of-kindness/)

## Related quotes

> [Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on; 'Twas not given for thee alone, Pass it on; Let it travel down the years,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-burton/have-you-had-a-kindness-shown-pass-it-on-twas-not-given-for-thee/)

Henry Burton

> [Open your heart - open it wide; someone is standing outside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-engelbreit/open-your-heart-open-it-wide-someone-is-standing-outside/)

[Mary Engelbreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-engelbreit/)

> [The central law of all wholesome life is reciprocity, mutuality. ... But the group is valuable only as it permits personalities, not automatons, to emerge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-thomas/the-central-law-of-all-wholesome-life-is-reciprocity-mutuality-but/)

[Norman Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-thomas/)

> [By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/by-swallowing-evil-words-unsaid-no-one-has-ever-harmed-his-stomach/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [ “\[T\]hough in all practical matters it is indispensable, either always or mostly, to follow custom, to do what is generally done, in theoretical matters… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/t-hough-in-all-practical-matters-it-is-indispensable-either-always-or/)

[Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/)

> [“A primary rule of practice is meditation with no objects or anchors. Just concentrate on the breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toshimi-a-kayaki/a-primary-rule-of-practice-is-meditation-with-no-objects-or-anchors/)

Toshimi A. Kayaki

> [“What if AJ Leon's wise words that "this is not your practice life" became the filter for all your decisions?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/srinivas-rao/what-if-aj-leon-s-wise-words-that-this-is-not-your-practice-life/)

[Srinivas Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/srinivas-rao/)

> [Practice is this life, and realization is this life, and this life is revealed right here and now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taizan-maezumi/practice-is-this-life-and-realization-is-this-life-and-this-life-is/)

[Taizan Maezumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taizan-maezumi/)

> [There isn't anything except your own life that can be used as ground for your spiritual practice. Spiritual practice is your life, twenty-four hours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/there-isn-t-anything-except-your-own-life-that-can-be-used-as-ground/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [You come in on practice squad and you know you're not going to play in the game, you know you're not going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-amendola/you-come-in-on-practice-squad-and-you-know-you-re-not-going-to-play/)

[Danny Amendola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-amendola/)

> [study to practice in life that which the Lord commands, and then be you assured that you shall never hear nor read the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knox/study-to-practice-in-life-that-which-the-lord-commands-and-then-be/)

[John Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knox/)

> [You have to learn to laugh all the time. It's a practice of life. It's a practice of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/you-have-to-learn-to-laugh-all-the-time-it-s-a-practice-of-life-it-s/)

[Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/)

> [You have to practice the life you want regardless of what the circumstances are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-kelechi-watson/you-have-to-practice-the-life-you-want-regardless-of-what-the/)

[Susan Kelechi Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-kelechi-watson/)

> [Do not entertain hopes for realization, but practice all your life..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milarepa/do-not-entertain-hopes-for-realization-but-practice-all-your-life/)

[Milarepa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milarepa/)

> [Practice in life whatever you pray for and God will give it to you more abundantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bouverie-pusey/practice-in-life-whatever-you-pray-for-and-god-will-give-it-to-you/)

[Edward Bouverie Pusey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bouverie-pusey/)

## More by Confucius

> [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-ancient-times-those-who-wished-to-illuminate-the-world-with-virtue/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/better-than-the-one-who-knows-what-is-right-is-the-one-who-loves-what/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/knowledge-is-merely-brilliance-in-organization-of-ideas-and-not/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-live-in-a-very-small-house-but-my-windows-look-out-on-a-very-large/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-real-fault-is-to-have-faults-and-not-amend-them/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-what-you-know-and-what-you-do-not-know-that-is-true-knowledge/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [A picture is poem without words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-picture-is-poem-without-words/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Heaven means to be one with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/heaven-means-to-be-one-with-god/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/does-heaven-ever-speak-the-four-seasons-come-and-go-and-all-creatures/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-study-and-at-times-practice-what-one-has-learned-is-this-not-a/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/recompense-injury-with-justice-and-recompense-kindness-with-kindness/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-only-one-thing-in-life-which-never-changes-and-it-is-change/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

[Explore all 1,019 Confucius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

## More Chakra quotes

> [THERE are joys which long to be ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/there-are-joys-which-long-to-be-ours/)

[Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/)

> [The chakras are very intelligent – they are like the software of the whole computer body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharma-mittra/the-chakras-are-very-intelligent-they-are-like-the-software-of-the/)

[Dharma Mittra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharma-mittra/)

> [This is what our yoga practice is trying to accomplish. Not white light descending from heaven and engulfing you, not energy released from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-kest/this-is-what-our-yoga-practice-is-trying-to-accomplish-not-white/)

[Bryan Kest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-kest/)

> [Opening your chakras and allowing cosmic energies to flow through your body will ultimately refresh your spirit and empower your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-marciniak/opening-your-chakras-and-allowing-cosmic-energies-to-flow-through/)

[Barbara Marciniak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-marciniak/)

> [Let’s not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and we obey them without realizing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/let-s-not-forget-that-the-little-emotions-are-the-great-captains-of/)

[Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/)

> [Write it on your forehead, write it on your heart, on your third chakra, on your second chakra and your first chakra. You will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh-yogi/write-it-on-your-forehead-write-it-on-your-heart-on-your-third-chakra/)

[Harbhajan Singh Yogi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh-yogi/)

> [Each of the seven chakras references different dimensional planes. It is a turnstile that leads us into different dimensions. As the kundalini rises, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/each-of-the-seven-chakras-references-different-dimensional-planes-it/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [The navel center will bring the power of all three of the lower chakras into your being, but with safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-navel-center-will-bring-the-power-of-all-three-of-the-lower/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [When there is no thought, the kundalini rises. When you create a vacuum, something will be drawn into it. The less thought you have,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/when-there-is-no-thought-the-kundalini-rises-when-you-create-a-vacuum/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Trust your hunches... Hunches are usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-brothers/trust-your-hunches-hunches-are-usually-based-on-facts-filed-away-just/)

[Joyce Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-brothers/)

> [The third eye is located between the eyebrows and a little above. The heart center is located directly in the center of the chest.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-third-eye-is-located-between-the-eyebrows-and-a-little-above-the/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [There are six chakras or energy vortexes that lie along that tube. There is a seventh chakra located several inches above the head, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-are-six-chakras-or-energy-vortexes-that-lie-along-that-tube/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [The shushumna is a tube. It is an astral tube, like a reed. It runs from the base of the spine to between the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-shushumna-is-a-tube-it-is-an-astral-tube-like-a-reed-it-runs-from/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [The unlocking of the kundalini, which occurs by meditating on the first, second and third chakras, is the entrance into the planes of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-unlocking-of-the-kundalini-which-occurs-by-meditating-on-the/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Chakras are organizational centers for the reception, assimilation, and transmission of life-force energy. They are the stepping stones between heaven and earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anodea-judith/chakras-are-organizational-centers-for-the-reception-assimilation-and/)

[Anodea Judith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anodea-judith/)

[Browse all 116 Chakra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chakra/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Confucius"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-rule-of-practice-for-all-one-s/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Chakra"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-rule-of-practice-for-all-one-s/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/confucius-164_chakra_there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-r_1268167.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/confucius-164_chakra_there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-r_1268167.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e18/confucius-164_chakra_there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-r_1268167.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life -reciprocity.” — Confucius",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Confucius",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "There is one word which may...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-rule-of-practice-for-all-one-s/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-rule-of-practice-for-all-one-s/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
