1corinthians β Chapter 8
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idolβs temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
β¦ Connected Across Traditions
The Golden Rule
Hadith (An-Nawawi 13)
βNone of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.β
Leviticus 19:18
βLove your neighbor as yourself.β
Mahabharata 5.1517
βOne should never do to another what one regards as injurious to oneself.β
Dhammapada 10:1
βAll tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.β
Impermanence & Letting Go
Dhammapada 20:277
βAll conditioned things are impermanent. When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.β
Tao Te Ching 76
βA man is born gentle and weak. At his death he is hard and stiff. The soft and yielding is the disciple of life.β
Bhagavad Gita 2:22
βAs a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.β
Quran 55:26-27
βEveryone upon the earth will perish, and there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.β
The Path to Wisdom
Proverbs 4:7
βWisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.β
Dhammapada 20:282
βWisdom springs from meditation; without meditation wisdom wanes.β
Analects 2:11
βIf you study the past and use it to understand the present, you are worthy of being a teacher.β
Tao Te Ching 33
βKnowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.β