Comments on: Manvotional: George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation

By: A.T. Sznakowski

A.T. Sznakowski — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:10:55 +0000

This is a great article. I especially like 109. Let your recreations be manful not sinful.

By: Wesley Hawkins

Wesley Hawkins — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:42:52 +0000

Too bad not everybody does.

By: Cameron A

Cameron A — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:28:57 +0000

Not to be rude, but I posted the link to this website on the AoMC and I think I at least deserve a little recognition. I think this is a great list though that everyone should follow.

By: A.A. JOSE

A.A. JOSE — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:10:44 +0000

George Washington was indeed a tallest person in every sense. His Rules of civility are relevant at any time and it will remain so till the end of the world. I salute to this great soul.

By: Dave Lewis

Dave Lewis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:25:13 +0000

I like the part about not picking at your fleas or other vermin in public…. I guess that was a problem back in those days.

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:34:14 +0000

Interesting. The syntax and terminology make it somewhat difficult to understand. While many of the entries are timeless, others better suited to a time when Colonial Americans where subjects of England, than an USA George Washington help create. I certainly don’t consider wealth whenever forced to consider some one’s status to another, to make some sort of decision. Thanks for posting Washington’s list, saved as text in my text folder.

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:04:56 +0000

A lot of these rules are similar to “The Art of Worldly Wisdom” by Balthasar Gracian. Not surprisingly, he was a Jesuit priest.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:49:19 +0000

“Manful not sinful” There it is, in a nutshell.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:28:40 +0000

About time for Washington to be properly cited on the blog. A couple of comments. The maxims are purely good manners, behaviour expected of serious, sober gentlemen of Washington’s era. Recall that Washington was an autodidact with very little formal education, and the “Rules of Conduct” are an 18th century version of a 16th century book, which in turn relied upon earlier rules of conduct. Benjamin Franklin wrote and relied upon a similar series of maxims…and used a daily checklist to track his adherance to his written standards.

By: Trent

Trent — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:51:18 +0000

I bought a copy of the book that has this complete text when I visited Mount Vernon, and read it every now and again. I ought to read it more frequently, because almost all of what he said then still applies now, and that which doesn't apply in letter applies in spirit. Washington was the greatest American ever. Of the Founding Fathers, he was not the smartest nor the best educated, nor was he wisest--yet all the others recognized him and his greatness, and naturally followed his leadership. We can all be better men by learning more about George Washington and following his sterling example.