At the young age of 15, George Washington wrote the Rules of Civility for a school exercise.  I have copied 94 out of 110 rules in a form that I believe we can relate to today.  I believe some of the  problems we struggle with today could be resolved by following these rules.  Many of our struggles with the homosexual communities, profanity, violence, and vulgarities on the streets, in our schools, movies, T.V shows and radio programs that cause us such grief and discomfort could be put to rest with just implementing rule #1 "Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present."  As in the Ten Commandments, the first rule sums up all other rules.

I humbly submit the following version.

Francine Hand

1. Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.
2. When in company do not put your hands to any private part of the body.
3. Show nothing to your friend that might frighten him.
4. Do not sing, hum or drum your fingers or feet in the presence of others.
5. If you cough, sneeze, sigh or yawn do it quietly and privately.  Do not speak when yawning, put your hand over your mouth and turn aside.
6. Do not sleep when others are speaking.  Do not sit when others stand, speak when you should hold your peace or walk when others are stopped.
7. Do not speak louder than ordinary.  When at work or at play give place to the one who comes last.
9. Do not spit.
10. When you're sitting  keep you feet firmly on the floor without crossing them.
11. Don't shift yourself or gnaw on your finger nails when in the company of others.
12. Don't shake your head or role your eyes, nor wry your mouth.  Don't speak to closely to someone's face, so that you don't accidentally spit on them.
13. Don't turn your back to others when they are speaking.
14. Keep your nails clean and short.
15. Do not be a flatterer. Don't play with those who don't like to be played with.
16. Don't read letters or books when with company, if it is necessary to read ask to leave. Don't read the writings of others or give your opinion to others unless asked.
17. Your countenance should be pleasant, but serious when matters are serious.
18. Your gestures should be suited to the discourse you are upon.
19. Do not reproach those who have infirmities of nature.
20. Do not show yourself to be glad at the misfortune of another, even your enemies.
21. When you see a crime punished, you may be inwardly pleased, but always show pity to the suffering offender.
22. Do not laugh too loud or too much at a public meeting.
23. Avoid superfluous complements and affections at ceremonies.
24. If any one comes to speak to you while you are sitting, stand up.
25. If you meet with anyone of greater quality than yourself, stop and give way for him to pass.
30. In most countries the highest place for walking is on the right hand, place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to honor.
31. If anyone of higher age, estate or merit offers you a place above themselves in their lodging, you should not accept it.
32. If anyone is your equal you should give the chief place in your home to them. The one who is offered ought at first to refuse it but at the second to accept, but not without acknowledging their own unworthiness.
33. It is good manners to prefer them to whom we speak before ourselves.
34. Let your discourse with people of business be short and comprehensive.
35. People of low degree ought to treat others of high degree with respect and honor.  Those of high degree ought to treat them with affability and courtesy and without arrogance.
36. Keep a full pace from people when you are speaking to them.  You shouldn't lean or look them full in the face nor approach too near them.
37. When you visit someone who is sick, do not play the physician if you are not a physician.
38. When writing or speaking give to every person his due title according to his degree and the custom of the place.
39. Do not strive with your superiors, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.
40. Do not try to teach your equal in the art he professes.  It sounds like arrogance.
41. Don't express joy before someone who is sick or in pain.  That contrary passion will aggravate his misery.
42. Don't blame a man when he has done all that he can do and yet does not succeed.
43. Before advising or reprehending anyone, consider whether it ought to be in public or private and always do it with sweetness and mildness.
44. Always take admonitions thankfully in public, in private you can clear up the matter if not culpable of the offense.
45. Do not mock or jest at anything of importance.  If you deliver anything witty, abstain from laughing at yourself.
46. When you reprove another be unblameable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts.
47. Do not use reproachful language against anyone.  Do not curse nor revile.
48. Do not be hasty to believe disparaging reports of others.
49. Do not wear foul, unclean clothing.
50. Be modest in your apparel and endeavor to accommodate nature.  Keep to the fashion of your equals such as are civil and orderly with respect to the times and places.
51. Do not act like a peacock looking every where about you to see if you are well clothed.
52. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better to be alone than in bad company.
53. Let your conversations be without malice or envy.
54. Never express anything unbecoming, nor act immorally before your inferiors.
55. Do not utter base and frivolous things amongst learned men, nor very difficult questions or subjects among the ignorant.
56. Do not speak of melancholy things such as death and wounds at the dinner table, and if others mention them change the topic.
57. Only tell your dreams to your most intimate friends.
58. A person should not value his own achievement or qualities, much less his riches, virtue or kindred.
59. Do not speak injurious words, scoff or jest at another, even if they give occasion.
60. Do not be forward, but friendly and courteous.
61. Do not detract from others.
62. Do not go to someone's home if you are not sure you will be welcome.  Do not give advice without being asked, and if asked, make it brief.
63. Do not take sides of either when people are arguing.  Do not be obstinate in your own opinion.
64. Do not reprehend the imperfections of others.  That belongs to parents and superiors.
65. Do not stare at marks or blemishes of others and do not ask how they came.
66. Do not speak in an unknown language in the company of others.
67. Think before you speak, do not bring out your words to hastily, but orderly and distinctly.
68. Be attentive when another is speaking, if he hesitates in his words do not help nor prompt him without be asked, do not interrupt, and do not answer until his speech is done.
69. If you come in the middle of ones discourse and you perceive a stop because of your coming in , you may entreat him gently to proceed.  If a person of quality comes in while you are conversing it's good to repeat what was said before.
70. Do not point your finger or approach too near when you are speaking with someone.
71. Do not whisper in the company of others.
72. Do not make comparisons.  If anyone is commended, do not commend another for the same thing.
73. Do not relate news if you do not know the whole truth.
74. Do not be tedious in your discourse.
75. Do not be curious to know the affairs of others.
76. Do not undertake what you cannot perform.  Be careful to keep your promises.
77. When you deliver a hard matter, do it without passion and with discretion, however mean the person is to you.
78. When your superiors talk to someone, do not listen in, speak or laugh.
79. When with a superior, speak not until you are asked.
80. Walk in a dignified way.  Do not contradict at every turn what others say.
81. Do not make many digressions, or repeat often the same manner of discourse.
82. Do not speak evil of the absent, for it is unjust.
83. Do not scratch, spit, cough or blow your nose when at the dinner table.
84. Do not eat with greediness, do not lean on the table, or take fault with what you eat.
85. Don't take butter with a dirty knife.
86. Do not stuff your mouth.  Finish what is in your mouth before you take another bite.
87. Do not talk with your mouth full.
88. Do not lay your arm but only your hand upon the table.
89. It belongs to the chiefest in company to begin eating first.
90. Do not get angry at the table, whatever happens.
91. When you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence.
92 Honor and obey your natural parents even if they are poor.
93. Let your recreations be wholesome and not sinful.
94. Labor to keep alive that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
 

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Date: Mon, 02 Aug 1999 18:57:05 -0500
From: Deutsch <phonicslady@ctitech.com>
Subject: George's Rules of Civility!!