[dr_lew]

It can be acting in one's own selfish self-interest to steal. If a society tolerates this (thus tolerating the violation of the Golden Rule), what becomes of that society?

Society does tolerate the stealing of bread in the face of starvation, e.g., and this is a cliche. It's just a question of how far the idea can be stretched.

Then again, there are such as to consider it virtue to say, “virtue is necessary.” But at bottom they believe only that the police is necessary. —Friedrich Nietzsche

[James C. Bennett]

Society does tolerate the stealing of bread in the face of starvation.

With the situation that caused the starvation to occur resulting from the prior violation of the Golden Rule itself?

If the "stealer" and "steal-ee" had their places switched, would they want the new owners to hoard their wares? Do not do unto others what you wouldn't want done unto you.