"Being set at meat scratch not."
George Washington's 110 Maxims of CivilityRichard Brookhiser just put out a booklet of maxims (
Rules of Civility: The 110 Precepts That Guided Our First President in War and Peace) which, as he attests, were "one of the earliest and most powerful forces to shape America's first president."
"The rules address moral issues, but they address them indirectly," Brookhiser writes. "They seek to form the inner man (or boy) by shaping the outer.... Maybe they can work on us ... by putting us in a more ambitious frame of mind."
My 10 favorites:1. Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.
17. Be no flatterer, neither play with any that delight not to be played withal.
46. Take all admonitions thankfully in what time or place soever given, but afterwards not being culpable take a time and place convenient to let him know it that gave them.
66. Be not forward but friendly and courteous, the first to salute, hear and answer; and be not pensive when it's a time to converse.
67. Detract not from others, neither be excessive in commanding.
73. Think before you speak, pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.
74. When another speaks, be attentive yourself and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not nor prompt him without desired. Interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech be ended.
79. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the truth thereof. In discoursing of things you have heard, name not your author. [Emily?] Always a secret discover not.
109. Let your recreations be manful not sinful.
110. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
( All 110 maxims ) Current Mood: ambitious of fine manners 
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