THE CULTIVATOR. 
71 
Young Men’s Department. 
WRITINGS OF WASHINGTON. 
Among 1 these written in his own hand, is a series of maxims un¬ 
der the head of “Rales of civility and decent behaviour in company and 
conversation.” Of these there are 110. The only specimens pub¬ 
lished we extract, and agree with Mr. Sparks in the opinion, that 
“whoever has studied the character of Washington, will be persua¬ 
ded that some of its most prominent features took their shape from 
the rules thus early selected and adopted as his guide.”— N. York 
American. 
1. Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect 
to those present. 
2. In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a humming 
noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet. 
3. Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak 
not when you should hold your peace, and walk not when others stop. 
4. Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the 
table or desk on which another reads or writes ; lean not on any one. 
5. Be no flatterer, neither play with any one that delights not to 
be played with. 
6. Read no letters, books or papers in company, but when there 
ifa necessity for doing it, you must ask leave. Come not near the 
books or writings of any one so as to read them unasked. Also, 
look not nigh, when another is writing a letter. 
7. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters some¬ 
what grave. 
8. Show not yourself glad at the misfortunes of another, though 
he were your enemy. 
9. When you meet with one of greater quality than yourself, stop 
and retire, especially if it be to a door, or any straight place, to give 
way for him to pass. 
10. They that are in dignity or office have! in all places, prece¬ 
dency ; but whilst they are young, they ought to respect those that 
are their equals in birth or other qualities, though they have no pub¬ 
lic charge. 
11. It is good manners to prefer them to whom we speak before 
ourselves, especially if they be above us, with whom, in no sort, we 
ought not to begin. 
12. Let your discourse with men of business be short and com¬ 
prehensive. 
13. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician, if you 
be not knowing therein. 
14. In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, ac¬ 
cording to his degree and the custom of the place. 
15. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always sub¬ 
mit your judgment to others with modesty. 
16 Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself profes¬ 
ses ; it savors of arrogancy. 
17. When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, 
blame not him that did it. 
18. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it 
ought to be in public or in private, presently or at some other time, 
also in what terms to do it—and in reproving, show no signs of cho- 
ler, but do it with sweetness and mildness. 
19. Take all admonitions thankfully, in whatsoever given; but 
afterwards, not being culpable, take a time or place convenient to 
let him know it that gave them. 
20. Mock not, nor jest at any thing of importance; break no jests 
that are sharp biting, and if you deliver any thing witty and pleasant, 
abstain from laughing thereat yourself. 
21. Wherein you reprove another, be unblamable pourself, for ex¬ 
ample is more prevalent than precept. 
22. Use no reproachful language against any one, neither curses 
nor revilings. 
23. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of 
any one. 
24. In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommodate na¬ 
ture rather than procure admiration. Keep to the fashion of your 
equals, su^.h as are civil and orderly with respect to time and place. 
25. Play not the peacock, looking every where about you to see 
if you be well decked, it your shoes fit well, and your stockings set 
neatly, and clothes handsomely. 
26. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your 
own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company. | 
27. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, lor it is a 
sign of a tractable and commendable nature, and in all cases of pas¬ 
sion, admit reason to govern. 
28. Be not immodest in urgingyour friend to discover a secret. 
29. Utter not base and frivolous things among grown and learned 
men; nor very difficult questions or subjects among the ignorant, 
nor things hard to be believed. 
30. Speak not of doleful things in time of mirth, nor at the table ; 
speak not ol melancholy things, as death and wounds, and if others 
mention them, change, if you can, the discourse. Tell nut your 
dreams but to your intimate friends. 
31. Break not a jest where none can take pleasure in mirth — 
Laugh not aloud nor at all without occasion. Deride no man’s mis¬ 
fortune, though there seem to be some cause. 
32. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest or earnest. Scoff at 
none, although they give occasion. 
33. Be not froward but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, 
hear and answer, and be not pensive when it is time to converse. 
34. Detract not from others, but neither be excessive in'commend¬ 
ing., 
35. Go not thither, where you know not whether you shall be 
welcome or not. Give not advice without being asked, and when 
desired to do it, do it briefly. 
36. If two contend together, take not the part of either uncon¬ 
strained, and be not obstinate in your opinion ; in things indifferent, 
be of the major side. 
37. Reprehend not the imperfection of others, for that belongs to 
parents, masters and superiors. 
38. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of others, and ask not how 
they came. What you may speak in secret to your friend, deliver 
not before others. 
39. 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. 
40. Think before you speak ; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring 
out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly. 
41. When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb not 
the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not, nor prompt 
him without being desired ; interrupt him not nor answer him till 
his speech be ended. 
42. Treat with men at ht times about business, and whisper not 
in the company of others. 
43. Make no comparisons, and if any of the company be commend¬ 
ed for any brave act of virtue, commend not another for the same. 
44. Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth thereof. 
In discoursing of things you have heard, name your author always. 
'A secret discover not. 
45. Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach 
to those that speak in private. 
46. Undertake not what you cannot perform ; but be careful to 
keep your promise. 
47. When you deliver a matter, do it without passion and in dis¬ 
cretion however mean the person may be you do it to. 
48. When your superiors talk to any body, hear them, but neither 
speak nor laugh. 
49. In disputes be not so desirous to overcome as not to give li¬ 
berty to each one to deliver his opinion, and submit to the judgment 
of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute. 
50. Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions, nor 
repeat often the same matter of discourse. 
51. Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust. 
52. Make no show of taking great delight in your victuals, feed 
not with greediness, cut your bread with a knife, lean not on the ta¬ 
ble, neither find fault with what you eat. 
53. Be not angry at the table whatever happens, and if you have 
reason to be so, show it not—put on a cheerful countenance, espe- 
' daily if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish a feast, 
j 54. Set not yourself at the upper end of the table, but if it be your 
due, or the master of the house will have it so, contend not lest you 
\ should trouble the company. 
' 55. When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously, 
in reverence and honor, and obey your natural parents, although they 
may be poor. 
56. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful. 
| 57. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celes- 
jjtial fire called conscience. 
