MASONIC EDUCATION
George Washington's Rules of Civility
Washington copied a section of Francis Hawkins' 1661 book Youth's Behavior, Or, Decencie in Conversation Among Men. IT consists of 110 guidelines for maintaining friendly and respectful relations among people.
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1. Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.
2. When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered.
3. Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.
4. In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.
5. If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside.
6. Sleep not when others speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you should hold your peace, Walk not when others stop.
7. Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go to your chamber half dressed.
8. At play and at fire, it's good manners to give place to the last comer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary.
9. Sit not in the fire, nor stoop low before it, neither put your hand into the flames to warm them, nor set your feet upon the fire especially if there be meat before it.
10. When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even, without putting one on the other or crossing them.
11. Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor gnaw your nails.
12. Shake not your head, feet, or legs, roll not the eyes, lift not one eyebrow higher than the other, wry not your mouth, and bedew no man's face with your spittle, by approaching too near when you speak.
13. Kill no vermin as fleas, lice, ticks, etc., in the sight of others. If you see any filth or thick spittle put your foot dexterously upon it. If it be upon the cloths of your companions, put it off privately, and it be upon your own cloths, return thanks to him who puts it off.
14. Turn not your back to others especially in speaking, jog not the table or desk on which another reads or write, lean not upon one.
15. Keep your nails clean and short, also your hands and teeth clean, yet without showing and great concern for them.
More will follow
Washington copied a section of Francis Hawkins' 1661 book Youth's Behavior, Or, Decencie in Conversation Among Men. IT consists of 110 guidelines for maintaining friendly and respectful relations among people.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1. Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.
2. When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered.
3. Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.
4. In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.
5. If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside.
6. Sleep not when others speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you should hold your peace, Walk not when others stop.
7. Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go to your chamber half dressed.
8. At play and at fire, it's good manners to give place to the last comer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary.
9. Sit not in the fire, nor stoop low before it, neither put your hand into the flames to warm them, nor set your feet upon the fire especially if there be meat before it.
10. When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even, without putting one on the other or crossing them.
11. Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor gnaw your nails.
12. Shake not your head, feet, or legs, roll not the eyes, lift not one eyebrow higher than the other, wry not your mouth, and bedew no man's face with your spittle, by approaching too near when you speak.
13. Kill no vermin as fleas, lice, ticks, etc., in the sight of others. If you see any filth or thick spittle put your foot dexterously upon it. If it be upon the cloths of your companions, put it off privately, and it be upon your own cloths, return thanks to him who puts it off.
14. Turn not your back to others especially in speaking, jog not the table or desk on which another reads or write, lean not upon one.
15. Keep your nails clean and short, also your hands and teeth clean, yet without showing and great concern for them.
More will follow