Duty Quote by Mahabharata 5 1517 from the Vedic tradition of India circa 3000 BC
““This is the sum of duty. Do not unto others that which would cause you pain if done to you.””
About This Quote
Source Epic: Mahabharata, Book 5, Verse 1517 (c. 3000 BC)
A universal ethic urging us to avoid causing others the pain we would find intolerable for ourselves.
In simple terms: Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Key Takeaway
Act with empathy and fairness.
Themes
duty
golden rule
responsibility
ethics
Mood
reflective
ethical
Type
Duty:1
Golden rule:1
Pain:0
Responsibility:1
Cause Pain:0
Sum Duty:0
Duty Unto:0
Unto Cause:0
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace
- community leadership
Key Concepts
reciprocity
empathy
oral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How would you apply this principle when your own needs clash with others’?
- What limits exist for universal empathy?
A Different Perspective
Cultural interpretations of duty vary; may conflict with self‑interest.
