This quote is a simplified version of Immanuel Kant’s “categorical imperative,” a central philosophical concept in the deontological moral philosophy of Kant. Essentially, it’s a way of evaluating our motivations for acting. Kant suggests that we should act in such a way that we would want our actions to become a universal law, applicable in all situations and to all people.

In simpler terms, it’s the idea that you should behave in a manner that you would want everyone else to behave in. If you wouldn’t want everyone to lie, cheat, or steal, then you shouldn’t do these things yourself. It’s a call for consistency between what we expect from others and what we do ourselves.

This idea can be applied in today’s world in many ways. In the realm of personal development, it’s a call for integrity and authenticity. It’s about being true to oneself, acting in ways that align with one’s values, and taking actions that one would be proud to see become universal.

In a broader societal context, it could be seen as a call for empathy and understanding. If we all acted in ways that we would want to become universal, it would mean considering the impact of our actions on others, and striving to act in ways that are beneficial to all. It’s a reminder that our actions have consequences, and that we should strive to act in ways that have positive, rather than negative, impacts.

In a world where individual actions can have global impacts, this idea is more relevant than ever. Whether it’s the environmental impact of our lifestyle choices, or the social impact of our political views, we are constantly making choices that could potentially become ‘universal laws’ if everyone followed suit.

So, Kant’s quote is a reminder to think about the bigger picture when making decisions, and to strive to make choices that we would be happy to see become universal. It’s a call to be the change we want to see in the world, to quote another famous saying.