Wisdom from a President on civility

In today's world, manners and civility are increasingly rare.  Here are a few of today's headlines:

Northern Ireland Soccer Mob Beats Catholic Man to Death

Graduation Party Shooter Was Jealous Over Ex's New Boyfriend, Police Say

Kiefer Sutherland Apologizes for Head-Butting Incident That Injured Designer

In another era, young men (and women) were often asked to write down their own rules of civility and manners as they were taught them.  In this post, you can read the approach of the first US President, George Washington, he listed his Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation.

As I read this list, I was amazed at Pres. Washington's focused approach to dealing kindly and respectfully to others.  In addition, I was also humbled in my own often coarse approach to speaking with and listening to others.  Here are just a few of the president's 110 considerations.

#48 Wherein you reprove Another be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than Precepts.  In other words, don't give out advice, comment, or criticism to and of others unless I am already setting the example.  Jesus' words of the plank and the speck of wood come readily to mind as foundation for this rule.

#49 Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.  Our congress and media (and all of us) would do well to keep this in mind.  I'm reminded of Miss California's recent treatment after her response to a question in the Miss USA pageant when I consider how far we can veer away from this standard of civility.

#56 Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.  Wow.  Better to be alone than in bad company.  I could have used this during my lengthy journey on the road of rebellion.

#89 Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust.  Ok.  Another biblical wisdom - don't gossip.

#109 Let your Recreations be Manfull not Sinfull.  Be God's man - not a sinful man.

#110 Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Ce[les]tial fire Called Conscience.  Is it a labor to keep our conscience alive?  I guess so.  For when we fly in the face of our conscience - for believers, this would be the Holy Spirit, eventually we are calloused to that which would shame us beforehand.

We all have rules, whether documented or not, don't we?  What are ours?

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