《論語》裡有這樣記載一件軼事：
子貢問曰: 「有一言而可以终身行之者乎?」
子曰:「其恕乎! 己所不欲, 勿施於人。」
(白話註解)
學生子貢曾請教老師(孔子), 你能给我一個字讓我能受用终身嗎？
老師说：「如果有這個字, 大概就是"恕"字吧！ 自己不願接受的事情，就不要加諸別人身上。」
(short translation of Confucius' saying)
Student "Chi Kong" asked the teacher (Confucius), "Could you please give me a word that can be the guideline to all my deeds for the whole life?"
Confucius said, "If there is such a word, this word is "forgive". Do not do to others what you don't want to be done to you."