Life Lessons From George Washington
Age-old wisdom that can still apply today
As a child, President George Washington completed a school exercise where he copied the Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation*, based on a 16th-century list of tenets meant to dictate proper etiquette. Although these life lessons are dated and somewhat humorous to read now, some of the civility rules can still help us today. The following quotes are a sampling of these civility suggestions, for better or for worse.
1. “When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered.”
2. “In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming voice, or drum with your fingers or feet.”
3. “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.”
4. “Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not on when others stop.”
5. “Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go out of your chamber half dressed.”
