George Washington's Rules of Civility: Traced to their Sources and Restored by Moncure D. ConwayWashington, George
History
George Washington's Rules of Civility: Traced to their Sources and Restored by Moncure D. Conway
Washington, George
Etiquette
Jesting must be avoided when it is out of season. Beware of
bursting out into laughter, beyond the limits of decorum, and of
doing so without reasonable cause, merely from an inclination to
laugh. Never laugh at the misfortunes of others, although they seem
in some sort laughable
65th Speak not injurious Words neither in Jest nor Earnest Scoff at none
although they give Occasion
Chapter vii. 4. Ne donnez iamais de sobriquet, soit dans le jeu, ou
bien hors du jeu. Gardez vous bien de picquer qui que ce puisse
estre; ne vous mocquez d'aucune personne, particulierement d'entre
celles qui sont qualifiées, quoy qu'auec occasion.
Never give nicknames, whether in fun or not. Take care not to hurt
anybody, whoever it may be; do not mock any one, especially persons
of distinction, although there be occasion.
66th Be not forward but friendly and Courteous; the first to Salute hear
and answer & be not Pensive when it's a time to converse.
Chapter vii. 5. Ne vous rendez point morne & de fâcheux abord; mais
affable & prompt à rendre de bons offices, & soyez toûjours le
premier à saluër. Entendez bien ce que l'on vous dit & y respondez;
Ne vous retirez point à l'écart, quand le deuoir vous engage à la
conversation.
Do not be glum and unfriendly of approach; but affable, prompt in
rendering kind offices, and always the first to salute. Listen
carefully to what is said and respond; do not keep aloof when duty
requires you to take a share in the conversation.
67th. Detract not from others neither be excessive in Commending.
Chapter vii. 6. Gardez vous bien de medire d'aucune personne ou de
vous entretenir des affaires d'autruy. Et mesme souuenez vous de
garder la moderation dans vos loüanges.
[Sidenote: Walker says: 'Carry even between adulation and soureness.']
Take care not to speak ill of any one or to gossip of other
people's affairs. At the same time do not forget moderation in your
praises.
_(Dr. Toner thinks the last word of Rule 67 is written
'Commanding.' Sparks has 'commending.')_ 68th. Go not thither,
where you know not, whether you Shall be Welcome or not. Give not
Advice whth being Ask'd & when desired do it briefly
Chapter vii. 7. Ne vous ingerez pas dans les entretiens & les
consultations, où vous ne serez pas asseuré d'estre le bien venu.
Ne dites iamais vostre aduis des affaires que l'on ne vous l'ait
demandé, si toutesfois vous n'estes le premier en authorité, & que
ce ne soit point à contre-temps, ou sans apparence de quelque
auantage. Quand vous en estes prié, abregez vostre discours, &
prenez de bonne heure le noeud de l'affaire à demesler.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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