1. The motive of love
This, the greatest of all the emotions, is founded on the Golden Rule spirit that inspires us to put aside selfishness, greed and envy and to relate ourselves to others as if we were in their place. The motive of love, expressed through the Golden Rule, enables us to comply freely with that age-old admonition to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” It brings us to a full recognition of the oneness of humankind, in which anything that damages our neighbors damages us too.
Let us, therefore, apply the Golden Rule in all relationships as a practical means of demonstrating the spirit of humanity. This is the greatest of all motives for applying this profound rule.
2. The profit motive
This is a sound and universal motive but one that too often is selfishly expressed. Financial gains attained by applying the Golden Rule are more enduring. They carry with them the goodwill of those from whom the gains are attained. This sort of gain establishes no ill will, organized opposition, animosity or envy toward the one who gains it. In fact, it carries with it a form of willing cooperation from others that can be had in no other way. It is blessed gain in the strictest sense of the term.
3. The motive of self-preservation
The desire for self-preservation is inborn in every human being. It can best be attained by those whom, in their efforts to acquire it, aid others in their attainment of the same desire. The rule of “Live and let live,” when applied, ensures an in-kind response from others. Thus, the Golden Rule applied becomes the surest method of attaining self-preservation through the friendly cooperation of others. Copy : success