George Washington’s Rules of Civility

“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:31
At age 14, George Washington collected and wrote down a set of Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company
and Conversation. These were designed to polish manners, stir the best affections of the heart, promote self-control, and
instill good social relations. There were 110 of them. Here are some various excerpts.
• Every act done in the company of others ought to be done with some sign of respect.
• In the presence of others do not sing or hum to yourself or drum with your fingers or your feet.
• Do not sleep when someone else is speaking, or sit when they are standing, or speak when you should be quiet.
• Do not walk on when others stop.
• Do not shift around in the presence of others or bite your nails.
• Do not flatter others. Also don’t play or joke with someone who does not wish to play or joke.
• Let your demeanor be pleasant, but grave when matters are serious.
• Do not laugh too much or be too loud in public.
• At the dinner table, do not scratch or spit.
• Do not act too excited about what you eat. Cut your bread with a knife; do not lean on the table, and do not find
fault with what you eat.
• Do not blow your soup at the table but wait until it cools of itself.
• If others talk at dinner, be attentive. Do not talk with food in your mouth.
• If anyone comes to speak to you while sitting, stand up, even if you are in a higher authority than the person.
• In speaking with others, do not stand too close to them or look them uncomfortably in the eye. Stand at least a
pace from them.
• Do not express happiness in the presence of someone who is sad because that will aggravate their misery.
• Associate with people of good character for the sake of your own reputation, because it is better to be alone than
in bad company.
• Do not be curious about the affairs of others nor approach those who speak in private.
• Do not speak evil of those not present, for it is not fair to do so.
• If you visit the sick, do not act like a physician if this is not your occupation.
• When a person fails at an endeavor, do not condemn him for trying.
• If you plan to reprove someone, first be sure you are blameless yourself.
• Do not be malicious in your conversation but rather be willing to learn. In all cases of passion, let reason govern.
• Labor to keep alive in your heart that small celestial fire called conscience.
George Washington took these lessons to heart, and they helped form his moral character. These are lessons from which
we too can learn.