George Washington

“ IF others talk at Table be attentive but talk not with Meat in your Mouth
108th. WHEN you Speak of God or his Atributes, let it be Seriously & . . . . . . . Reverence. Honour & obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor
109th. LET your Recreations be Manfull not Sinfull.
110th. LABOUR to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire called Conscience.14
FINIS.
[1] The thoughtful reader will recognize in this rule the germ and spirit of all rules of civility and the universal key to good behavior. ”

“ The method adopted by the early writers on these subjects was to treat them by chapters, as “on etiquette at Court,” “in parlor,” “at a ball,” “at a dinner,” &c. But nowhere do I find the whole subject matter of civility and behavior in company reduced to a single series of comprehensive maxims as they are in this paper. These rules of good behavior in Washington’s own handwriting were examined, and fifty-seven of them published by Sparks in his life and Writings of Washington, Vol. ”

“ It will be noticed that, while the spirit of these maxims is drawn chiefly from the social life of Europe, yet, as formulated here, they are as broad as civilization itself, though a few of them are especially applicable to society as it then existed in America, and, also, that but few refer to women. ”

“ IN walking up and Down in a House, only with One in Company if he be Greater than yourself, at the first give him the Right hand and Stop not till he does and be not the first that turns, and when you do turn let it be with your face towards him, if he be a Man of Great Quality, walk not with him Cheek by Jowl but Somewhat behind him ”

“ The existence of lice is usually ascribed to neglect of personal cleanliness, and to a great extent this is true; yet gentlemen who have served in the Army- officers as well as common soldiers – know how difficult it is where men are crowded together, to prevent their becoming troublesome. ”

“ ARTIFICERS & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and highly Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy
37th. IN Speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look them full in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a full Pace from them. ”

“ IN walking the highest Place in most Countrys Seems to be on the right hand therefore Place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to Honour: but if three walk together the middle Place is the most Honourable the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.
31st. IF any one far Surpasses others, either in age Estate, or Merit, ... would give Place to a meaner than himself... ”

“ When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.
3d. Shew Nothing to your Friend that may affright him.
4th. In the Presence of Others sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum, with your Fingers of Feet. ”

“ KILL no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexteriously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off4
14th. TURN not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean not upon any one. ”

“ UTTER not base and frivilous things amongst grave and Learn'd Men nor very Difficult Questions or Subjects, among the Ignorant or things hard to be believed, Stuff not your Discourse with Sentences amongst your Betters nor Equals
62d. SPEAK not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend
63d. A MAN ought not to value himself of his Atchievements or rare Qua.... ”

“ TIS ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom it’s due Likewise he that makes too much haste to Put on his hat does not well, yet he ought to Put it on at the first, or at most the Second time of being ask’d ”

“ IN your Apparel be Modest and endeavour to accomodate Nature, rather than to procure Admiration keep to the Fashion of your equals Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times and Places
53d. RUN not in the Streets, neither go too slowly nor with Mouth open go not Shaking yr. ”

“ CLEANSE not your teeth with the Table Cloth Napkin Fork or Knife but if Others do it let it be done wt. a Pick Tooth r
101st. RINCE not your Mouth in the Presence of Others
102d. IT is out of use to call upon the Company often to Eat nor need you Drink to others every Time you Drink
103d. IN Company of your Betters be not.... than they are lay not your Arm but ar.12
104th. IT belongs to ye Chiefest in Company to unfold his Napkin and fall to Meat first, But he ought then to Begin in time & to Dispatch with Dexterity that ye. Slowest may have time allowed him
105th. ”

“ STRIVE not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty
41st. Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Professes; it flavours of arrogancy.
.......... curtesie be proper to the..... Dignity of his place ...... t yr. same with a...... Clown and a Prince.7
43d. DO not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery
44th. When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it. ”

“ SHIFT not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails.
12th. SHAKE not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys, lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by appr....r him .... ”

“ Major Part especially if they are Judges of the Dispute.
87th. ...... as becomes a Man Grave .... Settled and attentive .... dict not at every .... Turn what others Say11
88th. BE not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressions, nor repeat often the Same manner of Discourse
89th. Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust
90th. BEING Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it
91st. MAKE no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed not with Greediness ”