"One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one's own self. "
-- Brihaspati, Mahabharata (Anusasana Parva, Section CXIII, Verse 8) [Hindu Teaching ~3200 BC]
"That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. "
-- Talmud, Shabbat 31a, the "Great Principle"
"Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. "
-- Confucius ~500 BC Chinese Philospher (Analects XV.24)
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. "
-- Jesus ~30 AD [Luke 6:31]
-- The Principles of the Free Market
Organizations such as the Heritage Foundation hold that the golden rule is at the very heart of a free market economy. Respect for the Individual Rights of others is not sufficient to fully follow the golden rule. Honest trade is essential for a thriving free market where both the buyer and the seller benefit.
There will always be those attempting to gain more for themselves at others expense by deception and/or misrepresentation. Organizations such as the Consumer Reports and Underwriters Laboratories exist to keep the free market honest by passing on information about products and services to consumers. The less likely that there will be benefits from dishonest business practices, the less often they will be attempted. We keep business honest by steering people away from businesses of lower quality and recommending good businesses to friends.