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yamilemb's review against another edition
kinda weird for a slaveowner to talk about rules of civility and decent behavior... some are obviously outdated and don't fit into modern rules of etiquette, but these were my favorite:
16th: Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the hands or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lips too open or too Close (lmaoooo)
20th: The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
22d: Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.
23d: When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.
25th: Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.
38th: In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.
40th: Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgement to others with Modesty.
41st: Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Proffesses; it Savours of arrogancy.
45th: Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it % in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.
54th: Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stockings Sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.
56th: Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.
58th: Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sign of a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion admit Reason to Govern.
63d: A man ought not to value himself of his Atchievements, or rare Qualities of wit; much less of his riches Virtue or Kindred.
79th: Be not apt to relate News if you know not the the truth thereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not your Author always A Secret Discover not.
82d: Undetake not what you cannot Perform but be Carefull to keep your Promise.
110th: Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.
16th: Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the hands or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lips too open or too Close (lmaoooo)
20th: The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
22d: Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.
23d: When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.
25th: Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.
38th: In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.
40th: Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgement to others with Modesty.
41st: Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Proffesses; it Savours of arrogancy.
45th: Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it % in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.
54th: Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stockings Sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.
56th: Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.
58th: Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sign of a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion admit Reason to Govern.
63d: A man ought not to value himself of his Atchievements, or rare Qualities of wit; much less of his riches Virtue or Kindred.
79th: Be not apt to relate News if you know not the the truth thereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not your Author always A Secret Discover not.
82d: Undetake not what you cannot Perform but be Carefull to keep your Promise.
110th: Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.
jonathaniler's review against another edition
3.0
I found some of the rules that I can show to my class. A good bit of this is very old of course so it doesn't translate to modern times.
rimahsum's review against another edition
3.0
Well for me, basic principles (what we now call protocol) on how to conduct yourself (in terms of clothing, eating, behaving, conversing).
But truth be told - a lot more people, the public really, should read this. Not everyone has had protocol training. But even so, this is something that we learn, and learn even more throughout our lifetime. And its a set of skills that will stick with you throughout your dealings with other people in whatever way.
Manners are but fading - and we need a renaissance. This is one small step to begin with.
I recommend this book for those who wish to be a gentleman. Unless your life says not to, well.
But truth be told - a lot more people, the public really, should read this. Not everyone has had protocol training. But even so, this is something that we learn, and learn even more throughout our lifetime. And its a set of skills that will stick with you throughout your dealings with other people in whatever way.
Manners are but fading - and we need a renaissance. This is one small step to begin with.
I recommend this book for those who wish to be a gentleman. Unless your life says not to, well.
mikaiya's review against another edition
4.0
I read the version sold at Mount Vernon, as it caught my eye in the gift shop. Nearly all the rules are perfectly applicable in a modern age, and definitely made me think about where I'm falling short!
Reaffirms the notion that Washington really was as correct and poised in reality as one imagines in the abstract- but with a sense of humor. Delightful (tiny) read!
Reaffirms the notion that Washington really was as correct and poised in reality as one imagines in the abstract- but with a sense of humor. Delightful (tiny) read!
vhp's review against another edition
4.0
Some very good rules of manner, but I couldn't help but cringe when I read the rule for vermin on someone.
I think if George Washington were to see today's society he would be appalled, but as his rules would abide, he wouldn't comment on them, but would keep them to himself until he could write about them in his journal.
All in all, it's an interesting read to see where society manners were and where they have gone to.
I think if George Washington were to see today's society he would be appalled, but as his rules would abide, he wouldn't comment on them, but would keep them to himself until he could write about them in his journal.
All in all, it's an interesting read to see where society manners were and where they have gone to.
silverthane's review against another edition
3.0
A Charming little book reportedly written by George Washington when he was just 14 years old.
The book is laid out as a list of 110 rules for decent behaviour. This may sound a bit dull but it is easy to read through as each rule is very short and most of them are perfectly relevant even today. For example; 56: "Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company" and 89; "Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust"
Of course some of the rules aren't useful anymore such as 55: "Eat not in the streets nor in the house out of season". Some of them are quite funny such as Rule 7 "Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go out your chamber half dressed"
My personal favourite is 44: "When a man does all he can though it succeeds not well blame not him that did it" this one I will commit to memory.
The book is laid out as a list of 110 rules for decent behaviour. This may sound a bit dull but it is easy to read through as each rule is very short and most of them are perfectly relevant even today. For example; 56: "Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company" and 89; "Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust"
Of course some of the rules aren't useful anymore such as 55: "Eat not in the streets nor in the house out of season". Some of them are quite funny such as Rule 7 "Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go out your chamber half dressed"
My personal favourite is 44: "When a man does all he can though it succeeds not well blame not him that did it" this one I will commit to memory.
seareader's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun little book. Try to adhere to it for just an hour and see if people notice!
misskeesa's review against another edition
I wish more people would read this little booklet. While some of Washington's rules are outdated (when and to whom to doff your hat, for example, and how long to wait before putting it back on your head) others are terribly, potently relevant for today.