Park sang joon Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
As [you would] they should do unto you
The protagonist, Philip, who was born with a club foot, moved in with his uncle Mr. Carey, the Vicar of Blackstable after his mother's death.
He came to Paris to become a painter.
...........................
"~But pray tell me what is the meaning of life?"
"I say, that's rather a difficult question. Won't you give the answer yourself?"
"No, because it's worthless unless you yourself discover it. But what do you suppose you are in the world for?"
Philip had never asked himself, and he thought for a moment before replying.
"Oh, I don't know: I suppose to do one's duty, and make the best possible use of one's faculties, and avoid hurting other people."
"In short, to do unto others as you would they should do unto you?"
"I suppose so."
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
I'd like to know if "you would" is parenthetical.
Thank you in advance for your help
He came to Paris to become a painter.
...........................
"~But pray tell me what is the meaning of life?"
"I say, that's rather a difficult question. Won't you give the answer yourself?"
"No, because it's worthless unless you yourself discover it. But what do you suppose you are in the world for?"
Philip had never asked himself, and he thought for a moment before replying.
"Oh, I don't know: I suppose to do one's duty, and make the best possible use of one's faculties, and avoid hurting other people."
"In short, to do unto others as you would they should do unto you?"
"I suppose so."
[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]
I'd like to know if "you would" is parenthetical.
Thank you in advance for your help
Top answer
It is not parenthetical because it expresses an important part of the thought. We should do unto others according to the way we want others to do unto us. "You would" expresses that important concept.
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It is not parenthetical because it expresses an important part of the thought. We should do unto others according to the way we want others to do unto us. "You would" expresses that important concept.
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Thank you, Englishmaven, for your so very kind answer. 
Then I was wondering if the structure "someone would that~" is idiomatic
Then I was wondering if the structure "someone would that~" is idiomatic
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