---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let everyone regulate his conduct... by…"
description: "\"Let everyone regulate his conduct... by the golden rule of doing to others as in similar circumstances we would have them do to us, and the path of dut..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/william-wilberforce-8564_circumstances_let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the_12888.jpg"
---

#  Let everyone regulate his conduct... by the golden rule of…

![“Let everyone regulate his conduct... by the golden rule of doing to others as in similar circumstances we would have them do to us, and the path of duty will be clear before him.” quote by William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/william-wilberforce-8564_circumstances_let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the_12888.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/william-wilberforce-8564_circumstances_let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the_12888.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/william-wilberforce-8564_circumstances_let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the_12888.jpg)

> “Let everyone regulate his conduct... by the golden rule of doing to others as in similar circumstances we would have them do to us, and the path of duty will be clear before him.”

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

## About This Quote

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

Advocates reciprocal moral behavior: treat others as you would wish to be treated in comparable situations, which clarifies ethical obligations.

**In simple terms:** Reciprocal ethics guide duty.

Key Takeaway

Treat others as you’d want treated.

Themes

Ethics Reciprocity Moral philosophy Responsibility

Mood

Reflective Principled

Type

Moral maxim Guideline

When to use this quote

- Interpersonal conflict resolution
- Workplace decision‑making
- Community leadership

Key Concepts

Golden rule Moral conduct Duty

Practical Applications

- Ethics training
- Policy drafting

Questions to Reflect On

- How does reciprocity shape your daily choices?
- When might the golden rule conflict with other duties?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Conduct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conduct/) [Conduct Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conduct-golden-372765/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden/) [Golden rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden-rule/) [Let Regulate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-regulate-372764/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Regulate Conduct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regulate-conduct-372763/)

## Related quotes

> [Washington told Wall Street, 'We're going to let y'all regulate yourselves.' The Republicans were in charge. They never said a word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-musgrove/washington-told-wall-street-we-re-going-to-let-y-all-regulate/)

[Ronnie Musgrove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-musgrove/)

> [One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/one-may-as-well-be-asleep-as-to-read-for-anything-but-to-improve-his/)

[Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/)

> [If we regulate our conduct according to our own convictions, we may safely disregard the praise or censure of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/if-we-regulate-our-conduct-according-to-our-own-convictions-we-may/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [Kant taught us that we should follow just those rules of conduct that we would want everybody to follow. Few find this generalization of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hacking/kant-taught-us-that-we-should-follow-just-those-rules-of-conduct-that/)

[Ian Hacking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hacking/)

> [It may not have the virtuous ring of the golden rule, but the maxim 'never say never' is one of the most important in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-baggini/it-may-not-have-the-virtuous-ring-of-the-golden-rule-but-the-maxim/)

[Julian Baggini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-baggini/)

> [I think that in a family some are workers some are not. I certainly saw my mother work very hard and be in charge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-robinson/i-think-that-in-a-family-some-are-workers-some-are-not-i-certainly/)

[Anne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-robinson/)

> [Six traits of effective leaders: 1. Make others feel important 2. Promote a vision 3. Follow the golden rule 4. Admit mistakes 5. Criticize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-nestell-bovee/six-traits-of-effective-leaders-1-make-others-feel-important-2/)

[Christian Nestell Bovee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-nestell-bovee/)

> [You can have the 'golden rule' - do unto others as you would have others do unto you. But then you take it one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-beals/you-can-have-the-golden-rule-do-unto-others-as-you-would-have-others/)

[Jennifer Beals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-beals/)

> [I believe in the Golden Rule - The Man with the Gold... Rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-believe-in-the-golden-rule-the-man-with-the-gold-rules/)

[Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/)

> [There's one golden rule to keep before you: laugh about everything and don't bother yourself about the others!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/there-s-one-golden-rule-to-keep-before-you-laugh-about-everything-and/)

[Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/)

> [If we don't manage to implement the Golden Rule globally, so that we treat all peoples, wherever and whoever they may be, as though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/if-we-don-t-manage-to-implement-the-golden-rule-globally-so-that-we/)

[Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/)

> [I have become convinced, through my studies, that the only way to achieve a safe, just and viable world is to live by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/i-have-become-convinced-through-my-studies-that-the-only-way-to/)

[Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/)

> [The golden rule in the arts, as far as I am concerned, is that all rules are meant to be broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kenna/the-golden-rule-in-the-arts-as-far-as-i-am-concerned-is-that-all/)

[Michael Kenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kenna/)

> [I consider that the Golden Rule requires that if I like a program I must share it with other people who like it. Software…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/i-consider-that-the-golden-rule-requires-that-if-i-like-a-program-i/)

[Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/)

> [The most important guideline when it comes to argument is the golden rule. If someone were addressing your point, what tone, what overall approach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-eisler/the-most-important-guideline-when-it-comes-to-argument-is-the-golden/)

[Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/)

## More by William Wilberforce

> [Selfishness is one of the principal fruits of the corruption of human nature; and it is obvious that selfishness disposes us to over-rate our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/selfishness-is-one-of-the-principal-fruits-of-the-corruption-of-human/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [Surely the principles of Christianity lead to action as well as meditation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/surely-the-principles-of-christianity-lead-to-action-as-well-as/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [Some bolder spirits, indeed, might be expected to despise the cautious moderation of these timid reasoners, and to pronounce decisively, that the Bible was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/some-bolder-spirits-indeed-might-be-expected-to-despise-the-cautious/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [“God Almighty has set before me two Great Objects: the supression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/god-almighty-has-set-before-me-two-great-objects-the-supression-of/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [The title of Christian is a reproach to us, if we estrange ourselves from Him after whom we are denominated. The name of Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/the-title-of-christian-is-a-reproach-to-us-if-we-estrange-ourselves/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners (morality).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/god-almighty-has-set-before-me-two-great-objects-the-suppression-of/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [Life as we know it, with all its ups and downs, will soon be over. We all will give an accounting to God of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/life-as-we-know-it-with-all-its-ups-and-downs-will-soon-be-over-we/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [If there is no passionate love for Christ at the center of everything, we will only jingle and jangle our way across the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/if-there-is-no-passionate-love-for-christ-at-the-center-of-everything/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [Its guilt therefore in these cases, is not to be measure by its effects on the happiness of mankind; nor is it to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/its-guilt-therefore-in-these-cases-is-not-to-be-measure-by-its/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [It is the true duty of every man to promote the happiness of his fellow creatures to the utmost of his power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/it-is-the-true-duty-of-every-man-to-promote-the-happiness-of-his/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [When blessed with wealth, let them withdraw from the competition of vanity and be modest, retiring from ostentation, and not be the slaves of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/when-blessed-with-wealth-let-them-withdraw-from-the-competition-of/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [“Let him then, who would be indeed a Christian, watch over his ways and over his heart with unceasing circumspection. Let him endeavour to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/let-him-then-who-would-be-indeed-a-christian-watch-over-his-ways-and/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [Africa, your sufferings have been the theme that has arrested &amp; engaged my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/africa-your-sufferings-have-been-the-theme-that-has-arrested-engaged/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [It must be conceded by those who admit the authority of Scripture (such only he is addressing) that from the decision of the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/it-must-be-conceded-by-those-who-admit-the-authority-of-scripture/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

> [We can scarcely indeed look into any part of the sacred volume without meeting abundant proofs, that it is the religion of the Affections…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/we-can-scarcely-indeed-look-into-any-part-of-the-sacred-volume/)

[William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

[Explore all 80 William Wilberforce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/)

## More Circumstances quotes

> [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

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

> [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/)

[Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/)

> [The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-fortunate-circumstances-of-our-lives-are-generally-found-at-last/)

[Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/)

> [“The set of circumstances that justifies the use of deadly force is a situation of immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/the-set-of-circumstances-that-justifies-the-use-of-deadly-force-is-a/)

[Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/)

> [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/)

[Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/)

> [It's impossible to know who Donald might have been under different circumstances and with different parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/it-s-impossible-to-know-who-donald-might-have-been-under-different/)

[Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/)

> [When we watch a play under the standard circumstances, we've lost volition and time is passing. A still play feels like an existential threat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/when-we-watch-a-play-under-the-standard-circumstances-we-ve-lost/)

[Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/)

> [Being positive helps you to keep away negative thoughts. And helps you to stand in adverse circumstances with the hope that in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-positive-helps-you-to-keep-away-negative-thoughts-and-helps-you/)

[Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/)

> [It seemed to me that the human beings I met reacted pretty much the same to the same stimuli. Different idioms,yes. Circumstances and conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seemed-to-me-that-the-human-beings-i-met-reacted-pretty-much-the/)

[Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/)

> [I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-don-t-think-you-would-have-missed-that-putt-but-in-these/)

[Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/)

> [I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/)

[Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/)

> [Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy creating new ones. You either suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-complaining-about-your-circumstances-get-busy-creating-new/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 4,560 Circumstances quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Let everyone regulate his conduct... by the golden rule of doing to others as in similar circumstances we would have them do to us, and the path of duty will be clear before him.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "William Wilberforce"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the-golden-rule-of-doing-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Circumstances"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the-golden-rule-of-doing-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/william-wilberforce-8564_circumstances_let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the_12888.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/william-wilberforce-8564_circumstances_let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the_12888.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/485/william-wilberforce-8564_circumstances_let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the_12888.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Let everyone regulate his conduct... by the golden rule of doing to others as in similar circumstances we…” — William Wilberforce",
                "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": "William Wilberforce",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Let everyone regulate his conduct... by...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the-golden-rule-of-doing-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/let-everyone-regulate-his-conduct-by-the-golden-rule-of-doing-to/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
