Doing unto others as you would have others do unto you

What good had we accomplished as a nation by going into Syria? Was this country the better because the blood of multitudes had flowed down the sides of Mount Lebanon, and tinged the waters of Jordan? What had we gained by our warfare in India—by setting up an imbecile old man and dethroning a popular ruler? Change your position; apply to the Affghans the golden rule of doing unto others as you would have others do unto you. What would the people of England think if the natives of Affghanistan had come over here to establish the dynasty of the Stuarts?  John Bowring 11 April 1842 House of Commons