George Washington's Rules of Civility

Washington's Rules of Civility contained 110 maxims. Here is a sampling:

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

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

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

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

44th
When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame him not that he did it.

45th
Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time, in what terms to do it & in reproving, Shew no sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

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

47th
Mock not nor Jest at any thing of importance, break no Jest that are Sharp Bitting and if you Deliver any thing witty and Pleasant, abstain from Laughing thereat yourself.

48th
Wherein you reprove Another, be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevelant than Precepts.

49th
Use no Reproachful Language against any one, neither Curse nor Revile.

50th
Be not hasty to believe flying Reports to the Disparagment of any.

56th
Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

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

89th
Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust.

95th
Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in your hand neither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pye upon a Dish nor Cast anything under the table.

109th
Let your Recreations be Manful not Sinful.

110th
Labour to keep alive in your Breast that little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.