










































Living Out the Second Greatest Commandment


254  ATLA 2023 PROCEEDINGS

Living Out the Second Greatest 
Commandment
Applying the American Library Association’s 
Ninth Principle
Rory Patterson,Associate Dean, Planning, Administration, and Operations, 
Jerry Falwell Library, Liberty University

ABSTRACT The American Library Association revised its Code of Ethics 
in 2021 to include a Ninth Principle, which starts with a sentence that re-
flects the Golden Rule. In this presentation, texts from multiple religions 
are presented to suggest how the Ninth Principle aligns with those reli-
gions, as well as with the Golden Rule. Further consideration is given with 
Jewish and Christian scriptures and suggests a resonance with the second 
part of the Ninth Principle. Questions in the latter part of the presentation 
call the reader to professional and personal actions based on the religious 
principles presented, ALA’s Ninth Principle, and one’s own personal ethics. 
The audience and readers are invited to continue the discussion in future 
Atla conferences.

The American Library Association (ALA) adopted the Ninth Principle 
to the Association’s Code of Ethics in June 2021. The Ninth Principle 
states: 

We affirm the inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to rec-
ognize and dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity 
and oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial 
and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and associa-
tions through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, services, and 
allocation of resources and spaces. (American Library Association 2021)

The first sentence of the Ninth Principle, “We affirm the inherent 
dignity and rights of every person,” seems to call to the Golden Rule 
and what Jesus, in Mark 12:31, called the second greatest command-
ment. This start of the Ninth Principle also resonates with many 
world religions, which also have statements similar to the Golden 
Rule. This paper will consider several of those religious statements 



LISTEN AND LEARN SESSIONS  255

and then compare statements from Jewish and Christians scriptures 
with phrases in the rest of the Ninth Principle.

The first item considered is the United States of America’s civil reli-
gion. The United States started with its Declaration of Independence, 
published in 1776. ALA’s Ninth Principle harkens to the Preamble of 
the Declaration of Independence, which states, “We hold these truths 
to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are en-
dowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among 
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (US 1976). They 
both state that people are valuable and have rights. US politics focus 
on finding a balance between the expression of and limits to rights. 
Some seek to find that balance personally by the Golden Rule. 

Norman Rockwell, a popular US artist in the mid-twentieth cen-
tury, published his “Golden Rule” painting on the cover of the April 
1, 1961 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. This picture featured 
people of different religions, races, and ethnicity behind the text “Do 
Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You.” Rockwell’s com-
mentary on the picture was, “I’d been reading up on comparative 
religion. The thing is that all major religions have the Golden Rule 
in Common. ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ 
Not always the same words but the same meaning” (Rockwell 1961). 
Many academic encyclopedias and dictionaries list passages from 
religious texts that support the Golden Rule (Bok 2005; Carson 2013; 
Himelstein et al. 2002; Singer 2001; Traer 2011; Unterman 1997). 

This author sought the quotes within their original contexts. The 
following were found in English translations of the religious texts 
or from apologetic sources for that religion. 

• Buddha said, “Treat not others in ways that you yourself 
would find hurtful.” (Udanavarga 5.18, as cited in Scarboro 
Missions 2000)

• In Confucius’ Analects, “Tsze-kung asked, saying, ‘Is there 
one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one’s 
life?’ The Master said, ‘Is not reciprocity such a word? What 
you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others’.” (The 
Analects, XV:24, Classical Library 2001)

• Hindu scriptures state, “This is the sum of duty. Do not unto 
others that which would cause you pain if done to you.” 
(Mahabharata 5:1517, from the Vedic tradition of India, as 
cited in Humanity Healing 2012)



256  ATLA 2023 PROCEEDINGS

• Guru Nanak states to Sikhs, “Accept all humans as your 
equals, and let them be your only sect.” (Discover Guru 
Nanak 2019)

• Taoist writings say, “Therefore, surrender your self-interest. 
Love others as much as you love yourself. Then you can be 
entrusted with all things under heaven.” (Tao Te Ching 13.4, 
Terebess Asia Online 1982) 

These five quotes present principles similar to the first sentence 
of ALA’s Ninth Principle. They call for treating others as valuable and 
avoid things that one would not want done to themselves. Some even 
call for treating others as your equal and loving them. 

This is like the statements in the scriptures of the Abrahamic 
faiths:

• The Prophet states: “On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas 
bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) — the servant 
of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be 
upon him) — that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah 
be upon him) said: ‘None of you will believe until you love 
for your brother what you love for yourself.’ Related by 
Bukhari & Muslim.” (40HadithNawawi.com n.d.) 

• The Jewish law states: “You shall not take vengeance, nor 
bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you 
shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” (Leviti-
cus 19:18, NASB). 

• Jewish commentary, the Talmud, expands on the law: 
“There was another incident involving one gentile who 
came before Shammai and said to Shammai: Convert me 
on condition that you teach me the entire Torah while 
I am standing on one foot. Shammai pushed him away 
with the builder’s cubit in his hand. This was a common 
measuring stick and Shammai was a builder by trade. The 
same gentile came before Hillel. He converted him and 
said to him: That which is hateful to you do not do to 
another; that is the entire Torah, and the rest is its in-
terpretation. Go study.” (Talmud, Shabbat 31a, Steinsaltz 
2019; bold in original) 

The Christian Synoptic Gospels have similar stories about this 
command in Leviticus.

• “One of them, a lawyer, asked [Jesus] a question, testing 
Him, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the 



LISTEN AND LEARN SESSIONS  257

Law?’ And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God 
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your 
mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The 
second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 
On these two commandments depend the whole Law and 
the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:35-40)

• “One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and 
recognizing that [Jesus] had answered them well, asked 
Him, ‘What commandment is the foremost of all?’ Jesus an-
swered, ‘The foremost is, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God 
is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all 
your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, 
and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall 
love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other com-
mandment greater than these.’ (Mark 12:28-31)

• “And [the lawyer]answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your 
God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all 
your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor 
as yourself.’ And [Jesus] said to him, ‘You have answered 
correctly; do this and you will live’.” (Luke 10:27-28)

The Gospel of John extends this concept by Jesus stating his new 
command:

• “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one an-
other, even as I have loved you, that you also love one an-
other. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if 
you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

The Apostle John continues this command in his epistle, stating:
• “And this commandment we have from Him, that the one 

who loves God should love his brother also.” (1 John 4:21)

The Apostle Paul follows Jesus’ new command to love one another 
and removes the first commandment listed in the Synoptic Gospel. 

• “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the state-
ment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 
5:14)

The Ninth Principle echoes these religious commands and the 
Golden Rule. Affirming the dignity and rights of others in one’s prac-
tice of librarianship is supported by religious ethics and ALA’s code of 
ethics. How can or do you implement the Golden Rule in your library?



258  ATLA 2023 PROCEEDINGS

ALA’s Ninth Principle continues with, “We work to recognize and 
dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity and 
oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial 
and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and as-
sociations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, 
services, and allocation of resources and spaces” (ALA 2021; italics 
added). The primary sentence is expanded in the second compound 
sentence—which this author will focus on, with specific reference 
to the italicized phrases. 

Recognizing one’s own individual biases addresses the philosophi-
cal critique of the Golden Rule about the person who likes pain want-
ing to inflict pain on others. One must know oneself to see where 
there are biases that might negatively impact one’s application of 
the Golden Rule and treating others and their rights with respect. 
This self-assessment is also basic information literacy practice and 
instruction.

Confronting inequity and oppression, and advancing justice are 
common themes in the prophets in the Hebrew Bible and the Ser-
mon on the Mount. Walter Houston, in “Social Justice and the He-
brew Prophets,” defined social justice as “Social justice is fairness 
between social classes and groups. Social justice involves treating 
different groups in society fairly. Fair treatment is not necessarily 
equal treatment because different groups may be unequal to begin 
with” (Houston 2021, 1382). The prophets sought to remind the rulers 
to provide that fair and just treatment to the poor and disadvantaged. 
Below are select sections from the Prophetic literature:

• Poetry in Isaiah:

“Woe to those who enact evil statutes, 
And to those who constantly record unjust decisions, 
So as to deprive the needy of justice 
And rob the poor of My people of their rights, 
So that widows may be their spoil 
And that they may plunder the orphans. 
Now what will you do in the day of punishment, 
And in the devastation which will come from afar? 
To whom will you flee for help? 
And where will you leave your wealth? 
Nothing remains but to crouch among the captives 
Or fall among the slain. 
In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away 
And His hand is still stretched out.” (Isa. 10:1-4)



LISTEN AND LEARN SESSIONS  259

• “Behold, the rulers of Israel, each according to his power, 
have been in you for the purpose of shedding blood. They 
have treated father and mother lightly within you. The 
alien they have oppressed in your midst; the fatherless and 
the widow they have wronged in you.” (Ezek. 22:6-7)

• “Therefore because you impose heavy rent on the poor and 
exact a tribute of grain from them, though you have built 
houses of well-hewn stone, yet you will not live in them; you 
have planted pleasant vineyards, yet you will not drink their 
wine. For I know your transgressions are many and your 
sins are great, you who distress the righteous and accept 
bribes and turn aside the poor in the gate.” (Amos 5:11-12)

Many have heard of Micah 6:8 (“He has told you, O man, what 
is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to 
love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”), but Micah also 
states:

• “Now hear this, heads of the house of Jacob, and rulers of 
the house of Israel, who abhor justice and twist everything 
that is straight…” (Mic. 3:9)

Jesus also provides these themes during his Sermon on the Mount:
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neigh-

bor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your ene-
mies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may 
be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His 
sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the 
righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who 
love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax col-
lectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what 
more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles 
do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heav-
enly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:43-48)

ALA’s Ninth Principle calls for librarians to practice in ways that 
align with these scriptures. How can or are you implementing these 
principles into your ethics in your library and librarianship? The 
discussion in this session suggested a panel at Atla Annual 2024 that 
expands this discussion; would you be interested in joining as part of 
investigating how to apply these principles into your librarianship?



260  ATLA 2023 PROCEEDINGS

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