Socrates' view of knowledge, Jesus' conception of love, Confucius' idea of virtue and Buddha's path of emptiness provide valuable insights and guiding principles to help us achieve a well-rounded education. Each of these individuals caused a transformation in the individual and collective lives of their followers and their respective societies that have endured until today. Their lives and truths provide principles, lessons, concepts and goals that could serve as an antidote to many of the problems facing education and society. For example, Socrates called for a re-examination of our accepted knowledge in the search for greater and deeper truths, Jesus for a transformational love and faith that transcends the limitations of self and this world, Confucius for education that goes beyond learning to virtuous action, and Buddha for an eightfold path to overcome suffering. These exemplars, representing some of the most diverse and influential individuals and traditions in history, teach how selflessness and detachment, developed through knowledge, love, virtue and emptiness, are instrumental to education and life. Each taught a form of the golden rule and other guiding principles for education that will be presented and briefly.