Interpersonal Relationship Lessons From George Washington
‘Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation’ offers interesting relationship insights
Advice about interpersonal relationships can come from many sources — friends, family, psychologists, or even the first president of the United States.
As a child, George Washington worked on a classroom project where he copied the 16th-century list of suggestions for proper behavior, the Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation*. Although the language of these quotes is antiquated, many of the ideas presented in the document are still relevant and can inform our interpersonal relationships today.
1. “Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.”
2. “Be no flatterer, neither play with any that delight not to be played withal.”
3. “Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another though he were your enemy.”
4. “In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician if you be not knowing therein.”
5. “Do not express joy before one sick in pain, for that contrary passion will aggravate his misery.”
6. “Use no reproachful language against any one; neither curse nor revile.” 7. “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.”
8. “Be not immodest in urging your friends to discover a secret.”
9. “Break not a jest where none take pleasure in mirth; laugh not aloud, nor at all without occasion; deride no man’s misfortune though there seem to be some cause.”
10. “Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none although they give occasion.”
11. “Detract not from others, neither be excessive in commanding.”
12. “Speak not in an unknown tongue in company but in your own language and that as those of quality do and not as the vulgar. Sublime matters treat seriously.”
13. “Think before you speak, pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.”
14. “Be not tedious in discourse or in reading unless you find the company pleased therewith.”
15. “Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach those that speak in private.”
*This article contains affiliate links.
Do you love quotes? Then check out my publication, I quote, therefore I am., for quotes about a variety of topics.
More from Kiki Wellington:
Source:
George Washington’s Rules of Civility. NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1248919
