American Heritage Library


Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour
In Company and Conversation

by George Washington

1st Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign ofRespect, to those that are Present.

2nd When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body,not usualy Discovered.

3rd Shew Nothing to your Freind that may affright him.

4th In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a hummingNoise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.

5th If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud butPrivately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkercheifor Hand before your face and turn aside.

6th Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand,Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when othersStop.

7th Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor goout your Chamber half Drest.

8th At Play and at Fire its Good manners to Give Place to thelast Commer, and affect not to Speak Louder than Ordinary.

9th Spit not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it neither Putyour Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet upon theFire especially if there be meat before it.

10th When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even, withoutputting one on the other or Crossing them.

11th Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw yournails.

12th Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys lift notone eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew nomans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him whenyou Speak.

13th Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight ofOthers, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your footDexteriously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions,Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths returnThanks to him who puts it off.

14th Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jognot the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean notupon any one.

15th Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and TeethClean yet without Shewing any great Concern for them.

16th Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub theHands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lipstoo open or too Close.

17th Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not tobe Play'd Withal.

18th Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when thereis a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come notnear the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unlessdesired or give your opinion of them unask'd also look not nighwhen another is writing a Letter.

19th let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious MattersSomewhat grave.

20th The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourseyou are upon.

21st Reproach none for the Infirmaties of Nature, nor Delightto Put them that have in mind thereof.

22nd Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another thoughhe were your enemy.

23rd When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased;but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.

24th Do not laugh too loud or too much at any PublickSpectacle.

25th Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonieare to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.

26th In Pulling off your Hat to Persons of Distinction, asNoblemen, Justices, Churchmen &c make a Reverence, bowing more orless according to the Custom of the Better Bred, and Quality of thePerson. Amongst your equals expect not always that they Shouldbegin with you first, but to Pull off the Hat when there is no needis Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting and resaluting in wordskeep to the most usual Custom.

27th Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself becovered as well as not to do it to whom it's due Likewise he thatmakes too much haste to Put on his hat does not well, yet he oughtto Put it on at the first, or at most the Second time of beingask'd; now what is herein Spoken, of Qualification in behaviour inSaluting, ought also to be observed in taking of Place, and Sittingdown for ceremonies without Bounds is troublesome.

28th If any one come to Speak to you while you are are SittingStand up tho he be your Inferiour, and when you Present Seats letit be to every one according to his Degree.

29th When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself,Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straightplace to give way for him to Pass.

30th In walking the highest Place in most Countrys Seems to beon the right hand therefore Place yourself on the left of him whomyou desire to Honour: but if three walk together the middestPlace is the most Honourable the wall is usually given to the mostworthy if two walk together.

31st If any one far Surpassess others, either in age, Estate, orMerit yet would give Place to a meaner than himself in his ownlodging or elsewhere the one ought not to except it, So he on theother part should not use much earnestness nor offer it above onceor twice.

32nd To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are togive the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offeredought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept thoughnot without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

33rd They that are in Dignity or in office have in all placesPreceedency but whilst they are Young they ought to respect thosethat are their equals in Birth or other Qualitys, though they haveno Publick charge.

34th It is good Manners to prefer them to whom we Speak beforeourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no Sort weought to begin.

35th Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short andComprehensive.

36th Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use manyceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect andhighly Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat themwith affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy.

37th In Speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look themfull in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a fullPace from them.

38th In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicionif you be not Knowing therein.

39th In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due TitleAccording to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.

40th Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but alwaysSubmit your Judgment to others with Modesty.

41st Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himselfProffesses; it Savours of arrogancy.

42nd Let thy ceremonies in Courtesie be proper to the Dignityof his place with whom thou conversest for it is absurd to actthe same with a Clown and a Prince.

43rd Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for thatcontrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.

44th When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not wellblame not him that did it.

45th Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether itought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some othertime in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholarbut do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

46th Take all Admonitions thankfully in what Time or PlaceSoever given but afterwards not being culpable take a Time &Place convenient to let him him know it that gave them.

47th Mock not nor Jest at any thing of Importance break noJest that are Sharp Biting and if you Deliver any thing witty andPleasent abtain from Laughing thereat yourself.

48th Wherein wherein you reprove Another be unblameableyourself; for example is more prevalent than Precepts.

49th Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Cursenor Revile.

50th Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to theDisparagement of any.

51st Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they beBrush'd once every day at least and take heed that you approachnot to any Uncleaness.

52nd In your Apparel be Modest and endeavour to accomodateNature, rather than to procure Admiration keep to the Fashion ofyour equals Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times andPlaces.

53rd Run not in the Streets, neither go too slowly nor withMouth open go not Shaking yr Arms kick not the earth with yr feet,go not upon the Toes, nor in a Dancing fashion.

54th Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to Seeif you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sitneatly, and Cloths handsomely.

55th Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, out ofSeason.

56th Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteemyour own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in badCompany.

57th In walking up and Down in a House, only with One inCompany if he be Greater than yourself, at the first give him theRight hand and Stop not till he does and be not the first thatturns, 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 Joulbut Somewhat behind him; but yet in Such a Manner that he mayeasily Speak to you.

58th Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tisa Sign of a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causesof Passion admit Reason to Govern.

59th Never express anything unbecoming, nor Act agst the RulesMoral before your inferiours.

60th Be not immodest in urging your Freinds to Discover aSecret.

61st Utter not base and frivilous things amongst grave andLearn'd Men nor very Difficult Questians or Subjects, among theIgnorant or things hard to be believed, Stuff not your Discoursewith Sentences amongst your Betters nor Equals.

62nd Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at theTable; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and ifothers Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not yourDreams, but to your intimate Friend.

63rd A Man ought not to value himself of his Atchievements, orrare Qualities of wit; much less of his riches Virtue orKindred.

64th Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laughnot aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune,tho' there Seem to be Some cause.

65th Speak not injurious Words neither in Jest nor Earnest Scoffat none although they give Occasion.

66th Be not froward but friendly and Courteous; the first toSalute hear and answer & be not Pensive when it's a time toConverse.

67th Detract not from others neither be excessive in Commanding.

68th Go not thither, where you know not, whether you Shall beWelcome or not. Give not Advice without being Ask'd & whendesired do it briefly.

69th If two contend together take not the part of eitherunconstrained; and be not obstinate in your own Opinion, inThings indiferent be of the Major Side.

70th Reprehend not the imperfections of others for thatbelongs to Parents Masters and Superiours.

71st Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask nothow they came. What you may Speak in Secret to your Friend delivernot before others.

72nd Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your ownLanguage and that as those of Quality do and not as the Vulgar;Sublime matters treat Seriously.

73rd Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bringout your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

74th When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb notthe Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompthim without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till hisSpeech be ended.

75th In the midst of Discourse ask not of what one treatethbut if you Perceive any Stop because of your coming you may wellintreat him gently to Proceed: If a Person of Quality comes inwhile your Conversing it's handsome to Repeat what was saidbefore.

76th While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him ofWhom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talkespecially to his face.

77th Treat with men at fit Times about Business & Whisper not inthe Company of Others.

78th Make no Comparisons and if any of the Company be Commendedfor any brave act of Vertue, commend not another for the Same.

79th Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truththereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not yourAuthor always A Secret Discover not.

80th Be not Tedious in Discourse or in reading unless you findthe Company pleased therewith.

81st Be not Curious to Know the Affairs of Others neitherapproach those that Speak in Private.

82nd Undertake not what you cannot Perform but be Carefull tokeep your Promise.

83rd When you deliver a matter do it without Passion & withDiscretion, however mean the Person be you do it too.

84th When your Superiours talk to any Body hearken not neitherSpeak nor Laugh.

85th In Company of these of Higher Quality than yourself Speaknot til you are ask'd a Question then Stand upright put of yourHat & Answer in few words.

86th In Disputes, be not So Desireous to Overcome as not to giveLiberty to each one to deliver his Opinion and Submit to theJudgment of the Major Part especially if they are Judges of theDispute.

87th Let thy carriage be such as becomes a Man Grave Settledand attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not at everyturn what others Say.

88th Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressigns, norrepeat 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 yourNose except there's a Necessity for it.

91st Make no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feednot with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on theTable neither find fault with what you Eat.

92nd Take no Salt or cut Bread with your Knife Greasy.

93rd Entertaining any one at table it is decent to present him wt.meat, Undertake not to help others undesired by the Master.

94th If you Soak bread in the Sauce let it be no more thanwhat you put in your Mouth at a time and blow not your broth atTable but Stay till Cools of it Self.

95th Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in yourhand neither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pye upon a Dishnor Cast anything under the table.

96th It's unbecoming to Stoop much to ones Meat Keep yourFingers clean & when foul wipe them on a Corner of your TableNapkin.

97th Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former beSwallowed let not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.

98th Drink not nor talk with your mouth full neither Gaze aboutyou while you are a Drinking.

99th Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before andafter Drinking wipe your Lips breath not then or Ever with tooGreat a Noise, for its uncivil.

100th Cleanse not your teeth with the Table Cloth Napkin Fork orKnife but if Others do it let it be done wt. a Pick Tooth.

101st Rince not your Mouth in the Presence of Others.

102nd It is out of use to call upon the Company often to Eat norneed you Drink to others every Time you Drink.

103rd In Company of your Betters be not longer in eating thanthey are lay not your Arm but only your hand upon the table.

104th It belongs to the Chiefest in Company to unfold his Napkinand fall to Meat first, But he ought then to Begin in time & toDispatch with Dexterity that the Slowest may have time allowedhim.

105th Be not Angry at Table whatever happens & if you havereason to be so, Shew it not but on a Chearfull Countenanceespecially if there be Strangers for Good Humour makes one Dish ofMeat a Feast.

106th Set not yourself at the upper of the Table but if it Beyour Due or that the Master of the house will have it So, Contendnot, least you Should Trouble the Company.

107th If others talk at Table be attentive but talk not withMeat in your Mouth.

108th When you Speak of God or his Atributes, let it beSeriously & wt. Reverence. Honour & Obey your Natural Parentsaltho they be Poor.

109th Let your Recreations be Manfull not Sinfull.

110th Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark ofCelestial fire Called Conscience.

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