English

Noun

silver rule ‎(plural silver rules)

1. (ethics) The principle that one should not treat other people in the manner in which one would not want to be treated by them.
   • 1934, J. O. Hertzler, "On Golden Rules," International Journal of Ethics, vol. 44, no. 4, p. 421:

     Confucius (551-479 BC) squarely faces the issue and gives us the first specific statement of the rule in its negative form, sometimes referred to as the "Silver Rule."

See also

• golden rule
• moral minimum