THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
1. But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love thy God with all thy heart; and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself On these two commandments hang all the Law the prophets (Matthew, 22: 34-40).
2. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the Law and the prophets (Matthew, 7: 12).
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise (Luke, 6: 31).
3. Therefore is the Kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But foreasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt; But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat; saying, Pay me that thou owest And his fellow servant fell down at his feet; and besought him saying, Have patience with me and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt; because thou desserts me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant; even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth and delivered him to the tormenters, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses (Matthew, 18: 23-35).
4. 'To love your neighbour as yourself: to do unto others as you would have them do unto you," expresses the most complete form of charity because it summarizes all of man's obligations towards his fellow men. We can find no guide to take as an example that is more guaranteed in this respect than that we should do to others what we would have them do to us. What right have we to demand that they behave in any better manner, that they be more benevolent or more devoted to us than we are to them? The practice of these maxims leads to the destruction of selfishness. When they have been adopted as a rule of conduct and as the base of all institutions, then Man will understand true fraternity, and so make it possible for peace and justice to reign on this planet. There will be no more hate nor dissensions, but only union, concordance and mutual benevolence.
