This law is seen in many different religions. Even Atheism, the anti-religion! In Wicca, it says that whatever you give to the world, you get back three times over.

But like I said.. this isn't necessarily limited to Wicca. Ever use any of these?

• An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
• You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• Schoolyard/playground rules.
• They'll get what they have coming to them.
• Reaping what they sow.
• Return the favor.

Like everything in this world, there are exceptions. If a stranger jumps you in a dark alley, it's perfectly acceptable to kick them where it counts. You don't have to be nice to those who are truly undeserving. Because if they're mean to people, (i.e.. robbing them in dark alleyways) it's likely that people will be mean to them. And attacking people isn't just illegal, it's plain mean.

But if you see an elderly lady struggling to get across a busy intersection with a cane, it's hardly nice to honk your horn at them as though they had some choice about their reduced mobility. It's not as though the senior citizens of our culture move slowly in an deliberate attempt to annoy you. It's not as if they have an intelligence agency that tells them that you are going to be at that intersection at an appointed time. So just be patient!

And give 'thank you' waves when you're driving and a nice redheaded witch with her own website lets you in front of her, dammit. <cackle>

While other religions have had their laws translated repeatedly over the course of time, with dramatic differences, the Wiccan laws and traditions have been translated through numerous languages throughout history, always with the same principles.