"There's another thing that's not easily overdone, father," remarked Jonas, after a short silence.
"What's that?" asked the father, grinning already in anticipation.
"A bargain," said the son. "Here's the rule for bargains–'Do other men, for they would do you.' That's the true business precept. All others are counterfeits."
The delighted father applauded this sentiment to the echo, and was so much tickled by it, that he was at the pains of imparting the same to his ancient clerk, who rubbed his hands, nodded his palsied head, winked his watery eyes, and cried in his whistling tones, "Good! good! Your own son, Mr. Chuzzlewit!" with every feeble demonstration of delight that he was capable of making. But this old man's enthusiasm had the redeeming quality of being felt in sympathy with the only creature to whom he was linked by ties of long association, and by his present helplessness. . . .

This passage from Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens highlights Jonas Chuzzlewit's cynical worldview. Jonas's twisted adaptation of the Golden Rule into "Do other men, for they would do you" reveals his belief in ruthless self-interest as a guiding principle. Instead of fostering mutual respect and cooperation, he advocates for competitive advantage, emphasizing that others would exploit him if given the chance. His father, Anthony, finds delight in this sentiment, illustrating the generational perpetuation of such a worldview. The reaction of the old clerk, Chuffey, whose responses are more a reflection of loyalty and helplessness than agreement, adds a layer of complexity. His enthusiasm, though genuine, is rooted in a sense of duty and longstanding connection rather than genuine belief in Jonas's philosophy. This scene encapsulates the moral decay Dickens critiques, where relationships are transactional and true empathy is scarce.