Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.

Shaw’s epigram turns the Golden Rule on its head to expose a practical and ethical blind spot: assuming that what you want is what others want. The point is not to endorse selfishness or cruelty, but to argue for imagination and attentiveness—real consideration requires learning another person’s preferences, needs, and boundaries rather than projecting your own. In Shaw’s characteristic satirical style, the line also mocks moral formulas that sound universal but can become patronizing when applied without empathy. The deeper implication is that ethical action is contextual: kindness is not a one-size-fits-all gift, and respect often means asking, listening, and adapting.

Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may be different.
Do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.
Don’t do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.