golden rule

noun

Definition of golden rule

1 capitalized G&R : a rule of ethical conduct referring to Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31: do to others as you would have them do to you

2 : a guiding principle

Examples of golden rule in a Sentence

I try to live by the Golden Rule. The golden rule in sales is to know your customer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pack your patience Perhaps the golden rule of travel. — Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY, "Summer flying guide: How to cope with record crowds," 26 June 2018 Here are her golden rules for creating an uncluttered kitchen… 1. — Sophie Hines, House Beautiful, "6 Golden Rules for Decluttering Your Kitchen," 31 July 2017 That straightforward response and attitude stems from a personal golden rule O'Leary is fiercely proud of: honesty. — Emily Slawek /, NBC News, "Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary: This one thing is the key to success in work and love," 11 May 2018 First, from my 25 years on the job, a few golden rules about hiring high school coaches that guide good schools. — Mike Hutton, chicagotribune.com, "Hutton: Valparaiso comes up with better plan, finally gets it right with Bill Marshall as head football coach," 4 May 2018 Remember the golden rule: Whoever has the gold, rules. — Priya Rao, Vogue, "Who Pays For The Wedding? A Guide To Deciding Who Pays For What," 20 June 2018 Image His lawyers said that saving people in distress was the golden rule of anyone out at sea, and that governments were using charities’ work as a political statement to press for closed borders at the European Union level. — Gaia Pianigiani, New York Times, "Malta Cracks Down on a Humanitarian Ship That Carried Migrants," 2 July 2018 Use the below steps as your DIY formula (rather than a hard and fast recipe) and remember the golden rule: anything goes! — Molly Marquand, Good Housekeeping, "A Step-By-Step Guide To Creating Your Own Foraged Evergreen Wreath," 8 Dec. 2017 Whoever gets the golden rake brings it to the next game — that's sort of the golden rule — and there have been a lot of rakes awarded this season. — Walter Villa, miamiherald, "UM had the 'turnover chain.' St. Thomas is sweeping competition with the 'golden rake' | Miami Herald," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'golden rule.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

23 May 2019

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The first known use of golden rule was in 1753

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More Definitions for golden rule

golden rule

noun

Financial Definition of golden rule

What It Is

The golden rule is very simple: treat people the way you want to be treated. In the business world, it also refers to fundamental principles of government spending: cover current spending with existing taxes and borrow only to fund investments that benefit more than on generation of citizens.

How It Works

A common principle in all of the world's great religions, the golden rule shows itself in every facet of the business world. It is the essence of what many call square dealing.

From a fiscal policy perspective, a government follows the golden rule when its tax revenues for the current year equal or exceed its day-to-day spending for the current year. Borrowing is allowed, but only for investments such as infrastructure projects, research projects, or other projects that benefit future generations.

Why It Matters

The golden rule is the fundamental policy behind many balanced budget amendment plans in the United States. Though the nation's history contains several attempts at implementing the golden rule, some critics argue that the idea also means that during recessions, when tax revenues are down, the government must cut public services when citizens might need them most.

Source: Investing Answers

golden rule

noun