George Washington's Rules of Civility eBook

Moncure Daniel Conway
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 98 pages of information about George Washington's Rules of Civility.

George Washington's Rules of Civility eBook

Moncure Daniel Conway
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 98 pages of information about George Washington's Rules of Civility.

5th.  If you Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud, but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put your handkerchief or Hand before your face and turn aside.

Chapter ii. 8.  Quand vous toussez ou quand vous esternuez, si vous pouuez estre le maistre de ces efforts de nature, n’eclatez pas si hautement & si fort.  Ne poussez soupirs si aigres que les autres les puissent entendre.
9.  Ne soufflez pas si asprement, faisant des hurlements en baaillant.  Et s’il vous est possible, empeschez vous absolum[=e]t de baailler; mais ayez en un bien plus soin, quand vous entretenez avec quelqu’vn, ou dans quelque conuersation.  Car c’est un signe manifest d’un certain degoust de ceux avec qui vous vivez.  Si vous ne pouvez pas empescher de baailler, du moins gardez vous bien de parler en cet instant mesme, & d’ouurir extraordinairem[=e]t la bouche; mais pressez la sagement, ou en detournant tant soi peu la face de la copagnie.

[Sidenote:  The later French book advises one, in sneezing, not to shake the foundations of the house.]

Whenever you cough or sneeze, if you can control these efforts of nature, do not let the sound be high or strong.  Do not heave sighs so piercing as to attract attention.  Do not breathe heavily, or make noises in yawning.  If you can, abstain from yawning, especially while with any one, or in conversation.  For it is a plain sign of a certain dislike of those with whom you dwell.  If you cannot keep from yawning, at least be careful not to speak while doing so, and not to gape excessively; press your mouth adroitly or n turning a little from the company.

6th.  Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you should hold your Peace, walk not when others Stop

Chapter ii. 11.  C’est vne inciuilite & vne impertinence de dormir, pendant que la copagnie s’entretient de discours; de se tenir assis lors que tout le monde est debout, de se promener lors que personne ne branle, & de parler, quad il est temps de se taire ou d’ecouter.  Pour celuy toutesfois qui a l’authorite, il y a des temps & des lieux ou il luy est permis de se promener seul, comme a un Precepteur qui est dans la classe.
It is an incivility and an impertinence to doze while the company is conversing, to be seated while the rest stand, to walk on when others pause, and to speak when you should be silent, or listen.  For those in authority, as a Master in school, there are times and places when it is admissible to walk alone.

7th.  Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out of your Chamber half Drest.

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George Washington's Rules of Civility from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.