George Washington’s Rules of Civility Today
I recently came across “The Young George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation,” which is the title of a list of 110 practices by George Washington, who later became the first president of the United States of America.
Most of the rules trace back to a French etiquette manual written by French Jesuits in 1595. It is believed that young Washington copied word-for-word these rules around the age of 16 to improve his penmanship from the English translation by Francis Hawkins.
Here are just a few of them, written in their original spelling and punctuation. I will attempt a more modern alternate after each one as these apply today.
“1st: Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are present.”
Modern: Be mindful and considerate of others in all you do.
“4th: In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.”
Modern: Let’s not be so self-absorbed as to be distracting when in the presence of others
“5th: 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.”
Modern: This is self-explanatory and even more important today.
“18th: Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unask’d also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.”
Modern: Let’s avoid using our electronic devices when involved with others. If there is an urgent matter we need to attend to, ask to be excused. Avoid prying into other’s communication, electronic or otherwise.
“20th: The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.”
Modern: 70-93% of all communication is non-verbal, so be mindful of how we use our body language.
“41st: Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Professes; it Savours of arrogancy.”
Modern: Don’t be that person who “knows it all” and claims to do better than others.
“44th: When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.”
Modern: The path to success is paved with failure.
“74th: When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the Audience if any hesitate in his words help him not nor Prompt him without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speech be ended.”
Modern: Resist the urge to correct the storyteller unless asked, nor finish their sentences.
“79th: Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truth thereof.”
Modern: Fact-check your information before sharing.
Although a few word tweaks are needed to be in step with the current times, the rules of civility in most cases have remained the same. Being respectful and considerate of others is timeless.
