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.
Chapter iv. 3.  Celui qui fait tout ce qui luy est possible, pour auancer vostre affaire, quoy qu’il ne la meine pas, & n’en puisse auoir le succez come vous l’esperez, ne doit point entendre de reprimade; puis qu’il est plus digne de loueange que de blame.
The man who does all he can to advance your business, even though he should not bring it about, and may not be able to obtain the success you hoped for, ought not to hear reproaches, since he is more worthy of praise than of blame.

[Sidenote:  Hawkins has only ‘sweetness,’ Washington being here closer to the French.]

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 signs of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness

Chapter iv. 4.  Si vous auez a exhorter ou reprendre quelqu’vn, prenez bien garde, s’il est plus a propos de le faire en particulier ou en public, en ce temps ou en vn autre, bien plus, quelles paroles vous y deuez employer:  Et particulierement lors que quelqu’vn ayat este desia reprimade d’autres fois, ne se corrige point des fautes passees, & ne promet point d’amandement.  Et soit que vous donniez quelques auis, ou que vous fassiez quelque reprimande, donnez-vous de garde de vous mettre en cholere, au contraire pratiquez ces actions auec moderation & douceur.
If you have to exhort or to reproach any one, consider whether it be better to do so in private or in public; at this time or another and, above all, what words you should use:  and particularly when some one having been already reprimanded at other times does not correct himself of his past faults, and does not promise any amendment.  And if you give any advice, or impart any reprimand, carefully avoid anger; on the contrary, do such acts with moderation and sweetness.

46th.  Take all Admonitions thankfully in what Time or Place Soever given but afterwards not being culpable take a Time or Place Convenient to let him know it that gave them.

Chapter iv. 5.  Aussi quiconque se donnera la peine de vous remonstrer de quelque faco, en quelque lieu, & en quelque temps qu’il le fasse, qu’il soit ecoute de vostre part auec beaucoup de ressentiment de bienueillance & de reconnoissance.  Et apres cela, si vous vous sentez innocent, & qu’il vous semble a propos de vous prouuer tel, il vous sera bien permis de le faire; mais auec ce soin de predre bien vostre temps, & plustost pour luy en faire voir la verite, & le tirer de peine, & plus si vous estes en sa charge, ou si vous releuez de son pouuoir, que pour vous appuyer de quelque excuse.
Also when any one takes the trouble to rebuke you, no matter how, where, or when he does it, hear him for your part with much feeling of goodwill and acknowledgment.  And after that, if innocent, and it seems right to prove
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George Washington's Rules of Civility from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.