What is the origin of the Golden Rule?

Question

Christianity - Matthew 7:12
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat007.html#12..

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." KJV..

Judaism:
Leviticus 19.18 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Talmud Shabbat 3id
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary."

Hinduism
Mahabharata Anusasana Parva 5, 15, 17
This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire.

Confucianism
Analects 12:2
Tsekung asked, "Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?" Confucius replied, "It is the word shu--reciprocity: Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.
Mencius VII.A.4

Answer 1

Do you mean the rule of gold? Considering the stuff is pretty useless except as an electrical conductor , I wonder what kind of con was contrived to establish its origin. seems like a pacification tool for the masses in a number of religions.

Answer 2

Your comment is incorrect since not all three of those compose the same rule.
The first two are in positive form requiring action.

The second two are in the form of inaction meaning your limiting yourself to not committing harm.

If you follow the first two you will not only avoid harming others, but will also look to help them.

With the last two you can't harm others, but are under no requirement to seek there well being.

When you reflect upon how this affects your actions this reveals there is a huge difference between them.

EDIT

The first part of the second rule you mention is in the form of action.Leviticus 19.18 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

If you love people like yourself your going to help them in the same way you help yourself.

However the second part is the same as the last two rules you mention."What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary."

It requires no action.

Answer 3

So you have stated your question, then given three possible answers to it. Could it be instead that the Golden Rule is much older than all three? Perhaps it is something that was put into our hearts from the beginning? From what source could it be from? Maybe God?

Answer 4

God