Happy New Year!   Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation".  I hope you enjoy them!


(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)
21st Reproach none for the infirmities of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.


22nd Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.


23rd When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.


24th Do not laugh too loud or too much at any Publick Spectacle.


25th Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.


26th In Pulling off your Hat to Persons of Distinction, as Noblemen, Justices, Churchmen &c make a Reverence, bowing more or less according to the Custom of the Better Bred, and Quality of the Person. Amongst your equals expect not always that they Should begin with you first, but to Pull off the Hat when there is no need is Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting and resaluting in words keep to the most usual Custom.


27th Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom it's due Likewise he that makes too much haste to Put on his hat does not well, yet he ought to Put it on at the first, or at most the Second time of being ask'd; now what is herein Spoken, of Qualification in behaviour in Saluting, ought also to be observed in taking of Place, and Sitting down for ceremonies without Bounds is troublesome.


(I must admit some confusion with regard to #27! I'm sure if we had been around 200 years ago, someone would have made it clear to us as to when we could put our hats back on.)


28th If any one come to Speak to you while you are Sitting Stand up tho he be your Inferiour, and when you Present Seats let it be to every one according to his Degree.


29th When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself, Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straight place to give way for him to Pass.


30th In walking the highest Place in most Countrys Seems to be on the right hand therefore Place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to Honour: but if three walk together the mid[dest] Place is the most Honourable the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.


3st If any one far Surpassess others, either in age, Estate, or Merit [yet] would give Place to a meaner than himself in his own lodging or elsewhere the one ought not to except it, So he on the other part should not use much earnestness nor offer] it above once or twice.


32nd: To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.


33rd They that are in Dignity or in office have in all places Preceedency but whilst they are Young they ought to respect those that are their equals in Birth or other Qualitys, though they have no Publick charge.


34th It is good Manners to prefer them to whom we Speak before ourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no Sort we ought to begin.


35th Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.


36th Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and highly Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy.


37th In Speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look them full in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a full Pace from them.


38th In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.


39th In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.


40th Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.


What a great one to end this post!  I wish each of the politicians we have in office today would act with a measure of humility rather than lashing out when anyone dares oppose them - which marks them as having very little emotional intelligence (or should I just leave it as "little intelligence"? Yeah, I think I'll stick with that)


Now, if any of you had a thought of perhaps incorporating any of these into your New Year Resolutions, You might want to take a look at Chris Brady's New Years Eve post on his blog!  Good Stuff!  And while you're at it, check out Orrin Woodward's New Years Eve post as well. 


And, if you're at all interested in any of our first President's other personal papers or documents, here's a good place to start.