I'm a big believer in manners and respect: that one should never

The words of Alexander Gilkes—“I’m a big believer in manners and respect: that one should never do to another what you wouldn’t wish for yourself”—carry within them the ancient heartbeat of wisdom. This is no fleeting thought, but a truth spoken across ages and civilizations, from the sages of the East to the philosophers of the West. It is a principle so simple in form, yet vast in consequence: to recognize in every other person the same dignity, the same longing, the same pain, and the same hope that lives within oneself. This, truly, is the root of respect.

The ancients called this the Golden Rule, inscribed not only in holy texts but in the living traditions of humanity. Confucius declared, “Do not impose on others what you do not desire yourself.” Christ proclaimed, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Stoics, too, believed that all men share the same divine spark, and therefore none should harm another lest he dishonor himself. Gilkes’ words are but a modern vessel carrying this timeless wisdom across the sea of centuries, reminding us that manners are not mere courtesies, but shields that preserve harmony among souls.

Let us recall the story of Mahatma Gandhi, a man who faced oppression not with violence, but with the deep respect he held even for his oppressors. Though beaten, imprisoned, and mocked, he never returned hatred with hatred. Instead, he acted with the belief that one must not inflict upon others what one would not endure. By such a code, he transformed the struggle for Indian independence into a moral force that shook the British Empire. His path revealed the power of respect and restraint, showing that dignity wielded with discipline can triumph over brute power.

To speak of manners is not to speak of hollow etiquette, of polite words uttered without sincerity. True manners flow from recognition of the sacredness in others. A bowed head, a gentle tone, a hand extended—these are not ornaments, but signs of an inner conviction: “I see you as I see myself.” And when this conviction becomes universal, quarrels diminish, envy loses its poison, and communities stand strong against division. Thus, manners are not trifles; they are the quiet stones upon which civilizations build their enduring temples.

Yet the warning is clear: when we abandon this principle, when we mock others, wound them, or take what is theirs without thought, we sow the seeds of our own ruin. History is filled with empires that collapsed not from external invasion but from internal decay—the loss of respect among citizens, the erosion of courtesy, the rise of selfishness. A house where no one regards the feelings of another will soon collapse into dust. Thus, the law Gilkes echoes is not only personal but political, not only moral but practical.

The lesson, then, is this: to live by respect is to live wisely. Every word you speak, every gesture you make, becomes part of the fabric of the world. If you weave harshness, the cloth will tear; if you weave kindness, the cloth will hold strong. Before you act, ask yourself: would I wish this upon my own head? If not, refrain; if so, proceed with courage. Such reflection turns impulses into wisdom, and selfishness into service.

Practical action is simple yet profound: cultivate your manners daily. Hold doors open, listen more than you speak, and speak with truth that does not wound unnecessarily. In conflict, pause and consider the weight of your words, for once released, they cannot be gathered back. Teach children not only knowledge, but respect, for this is the true wealth that outlasts generations. And above all, carry yourself as though every human you meet were a mirror of your own soul—for in truth, they are.

So let these words of Alexander Gilkes be a guiding flame: do not do to another what you would not wish for yourself. This law is older than kingdoms and wiser than kings. To follow it is to walk the path of harmony; to ignore it is to stumble into the abyss of discord. Hold it close, live it deeply, and pass it on, that the world may remember that peace begins not with nations, but with the manners and respect of each human heart.