George Washington

George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior

Though many of the rules deal with matters of etiquette--such as whom should rise for whom in mixed company--many concern far deeper matters that touch on personal philosophies about judgment, honor, success and conscience. As a peek into the manners of a bygone age, this is an intriguing work. As a peek into a great mean in his formative years, this is an extraordinary one. He was an American Founding Father and the new nation's first president, but before that, GEORGE WASHINGTON(1732-1799) was an excruciatingly correct child with a passion for propriety. At the age of 14, he copied out 110 rules for elegant deportment from a work created by Jesuits in the 16th century as a guide for young gentlemen of quality, and through these rules, which he took greatly to heart, we can see the beginning of the man Washington would become taking shape.