On President`s Day, the Evansville Courier & Press published 25 of George Washington`s 110 “Rules of Courtesy and Decent Conduct in Society and Conversation.” These rules were written in the 1740s when he was a teenager. When George Washington – the first president of the United States of America – was about 16 years old, he copied by hand a list of 110 “rules of courtesy and decent conduct in society and conversation.” The rules are based on a set of rules written by French Jesuits in the 16th century. By the age of sixteen, George Washington had hand-copied 110 rules of civility and decent behavior in company and conversation. They are based on a set of rules written by French Jesuits in 1595. The first English translation of the French rules appeared in 1640 and is attributed to Francis Hawkins, the twelve-year-old son of a doctor. These were the rules that governed Washington`s behavior and helped shape the man who attracted love, loyalty and respect from all who served with him during the American Revolution and his presidency. It would be easy to dismiss them as outdated and appropriate for an era of powdered wigs and quills, but they reflect an orientation that is increasingly difficult to find among our political leaders these days. What the rules have in common is that they focus on others and not on the narrow purpose of their own self-interest, which we find so prevalent among our politicians. They represent more than just manners. These are the small sacrifices that we should all be willing to make for the good of all and for the good of living together.
These rules proclaim our respect for others and in turn give us the gift of self-esteem and increased self-esteem. In his youth, Washington put a pen on paper to record 110 rules of politeness and decent conduct in society and conversation. The rules were based on a set originally developed by French Jesuits in 1595 and played a huge role in the formation of the first American president. 1. Treat everyone with respect. 2. Any action taken in a company must be done with a sign of respect for those present. 3.
Be considerate of others. Don`t embarrass others. 4. Don`t turn your back on others, especially when you`re talking. 5. Let your face be nice, but a bit serious in serious business. 6. Do not blame anyone for nature`s weaknesses, nor rejoice in those who think about them. 7.
Don`t be happy about someone else`s misfortune, even if they were your enemy. 8. When you see that a crime is being punished, you can be internally happy; But always show compassion for the abuser who is suffering. 9. Don`t draw attention to yourself. 10. Don`t laugh too loudly or too much at a public show. 11. Unnecessary additions and alterations to the ceremony should be avoided, but when due, they should not be neglected. 12. When speaking, be concise. 13.
Let your speech be short and complete. 14. When talking to men, don`t bend over and look them in the face, or get too close to them, at least keep a full pace away from them. 15. Give everyone, in writing or orally, what they are entitled to. 16. Don`t argue. Submit your ideas with humility. 17. Do not argue, but always submit your judgment to others with humility. 18.
Pledge not to teach your fellowmen the art he himself confesses; He loves arrogance. 19. Do not express joy in front of a sick or suffering person, for this opposite passion will aggravate his misery. 20. If someone does their best and fails, don`t criticize them. 21. If a person does everything he can, even if he does not succeed, do not blame the one who did it. 22. If you need to give advice or criticism, think about when it should be given publicly or privately, how, and, most importantly, how gentle. 23.
To advise or reprimand someone, consider whether it should be public or private; Now, or at any other time, in what terms to do it and in reprimand do not show signs of anger, but do it gently and gently. 24. If you are corrected, take it without argument. If you have been misjudged, correct it later. 25. Accept all exhortations gratefully, anytime and anywhere, but in order not to be guilty afterwards, take a time and place to let Him know that He has given them. 26. Don`t make fun of something that others are interested in. 27. Don`t mock or joke about anything important. 28.
If you`re criticizing someone else for something, make sure you`re not guilty yourself. Actions are worth more than words. 29. If you reprimand another, be blameless; For example, is more common than offers. 30. Do not use reproachful language against anyone, curse or insult. 31. Don`t be quick to believe bad reports about others.
32. Don`t be afraid to believe theft reports that denigrate anyone. 33. Always let reason dictate your actions. 34. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for this is a sign of a controllable and praiseworthy nature. 35. In all causes of passion, let reason rule. 36.
Never break the rules. 37. Never say anything inappropriate or act immorally. 38. Do not say vile and frivolous things among serious and educated men. 39. A person should not overestimate his or her own achievements. 40. A man should not appreciate himself for his achievements or the rare qualities of the joke; not to mention his wealth, virtue or kinship. 41. Don`t utter hurtful words, jokes or seriousness.
Don`t make fun of anyone, even if they give the reason. 42. Don`t go ahead, but always be kind and courteous. 43. Do not distract others or be arrogant when giving orders. 44. Do not distract others or be exaggerated in command. 45. Don`t go where you`re not wanted. Don`t give unsolicited advice.
46. If two people disagree, don`t side with one or the other. Be flexible in your own opinions and if you don`t care, take the majority opinion. 47. If two men quarrel, do not take the role of both casually; Or don`t be persistent in your own opinion, in things that are indifferent, on the main side. 48. Don`t correct others if it`s not your job to do so. 49. When someone speaks, be attentive and do not disturb the listeners, if a hesitation in his words does not help him and invite him without hindrance, do not interrupt him, do not answer him until his speech is finished. 50. Don`t compare yourself. 51.
Make no comparisons, and if anyone in society is praised for a courageous act of virtue, he praises no one else for the same. 52. Don`t rush to talk about something if you don`t have all the facts. 53. Don`t be inclined to say messages if you don`t know the truth. 54. Don`t be curious about other people`s business. 55. Don`t start what you can`t finish. Keep your promises. 56.
Don`t do what you can`t do, but make sure you keep your promise. 57. When you deliver a deal, do it without passion and discretion, but do you think that the person you are does? 58. In the case of disputes, do not try to overcome them so as not to give everyone the freedom to express their opinion and submit to the judgment of most of them. 59. Pay attention to what is said. Don`t contradict what others say at every turn. 60. Don`t repeat the same speech. 61.
Do not speak ill of those who are not present 62. Don`t allow yourself to become jaded, cynical or calloused. 63. Work to keep alive in your chest that little spark of celestial fire called consciousness. How do you think Washington would behave in the current political environment? Michael Michalko is the author of the critically acclaimed book Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative Thinking Techniques; Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius; ThinkPak: A brainstorming and creative thinking card game: Put your imagination to work. I`ve extracted 63 of Washington`s 110 Rules of Decent Behavior that relate to talking, debating, or meeting with your political competitors. Read the rules and imagine, if you can, how George Washington would fare in a televised debate with contemporary politicians. Imagine the contrast between what was and what is acceptable behavior now. (As much as possible, I have tried to keep the original wording.) Washington Rules: If a man as important as Washington has spent his entire life behaving well, we can certainly learn some things from him.
While some of the founding father`s rules need a fresh coat of paint for modern life, these 12 are more appropriate than ever. This is followed by modern interpretation. (George Washington`s rules appear in quotation marks.) Among the 25 rules, I omitted some, such as how to warm your hands by the fire or how to cover sputum with your boot.