Standards of Behavior*

1. Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
If you have to repay an evil behavior with kindness, how do you repay kindness? Should the masochist go and inflict pain on his neighbor? This rule is more theory than anythig else and nobody really applies it.

2. The Silver Rule: Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you.
Do not repay violence with violence, but don't be compliant and obedient either.

3. The Brass or Brazen Rule: Do unto others as they unto you.
This is the typical 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth' approach; wich also includes 'one good turn deserves another'

4. The Iron Rule: Do unto others as you like, before they do it unto you.
In other words: that who has the gold makes the rules. This is the approach of the powerful.

5. The Tin Rule: Suck up to those above you, and abuse those below.
This is combination of rules: the golden rule for superiors and the iron rule for inferiors.

6. Kin Selection: Give precedent in all things to close relatives, and do as you like to others.
Do you need any further explanation for this one?

And now comes the golden question: what rules do you apply?

*Taken from "Billions and Billions" by7 Carl Sagan.