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

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

Do not treat others as you yourself would not be treated.

There are some with whom we may study in common, but we shall find them unable to go along with us to principles. Perhaps we may go on with them to principles, but we shall find them unable to get established in those along with us. Or if we may get so established along with them, we shall find them unable to weigh occurring events along with us.

When a person should be spoken with, and you don't speak with them, you lose them. When a person shouldn't be spoken with and you speak to them, you waste your breath. The wise do not lose people, nor do they waste their breath.

Charity is that rational and constant affection which makes us sacrifice ourselves to the human race, as if we were united with it, so as to form one individual, partaking equally in its adversity and prosperity.