George Washington - The Next 20 Maxims

Here are the next twenty maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

41st  Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Proffesses; it Savours of arrogancy.

42nd  Let thy ceremonies in Courtesie be proper to the Dignity of his place [with whom thou conversest for it is absurd to act the same with a Clown and a Prince.

43rd  Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.

44th  When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

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 Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

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

47th  Mock not nor Jest at any thing of Importance break no Jest that are Sharp Biting and if you Deliver any thing witty and Pleasent abtain from Laughing thereat yourself.

48th  Wherein you reprove Another be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than Precepts.

49th  Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.

50th  Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to the Disparagement of any.

51st  Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush'd once every day at least and take heed that you approach not to any Uncleaness.

52nd  In your Apparel be Modest and endeavour to accomodate Nature, rather than to procure Admiration keep to the Fashion of your equals Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times and Places.

53rd  Run not in the Streets, neither go too s]owly nor with Mouth open go not Shaking yr Arms kick not the earth with yr feet, go not upon the Toes, nor in a Dancing fashion.

54th  Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.

55th  Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, out of Season.

56th  Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

57th  In walking up and Down in a House, only with One in Company if he be Greater than yourself, at the first give him the Right hand and Stop not till he does and be not the first that turns, and when you do turn let it be with your face towards him, if he be a Man of Great Quality, walk not with him Cheek by Joul but Somewhat behind him; but yet in Such a Manner that he may easily Speak to you.

58th  Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sign of a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion admit Reason to Govern.

59th  Never express anything unbecoming, nor Act against the Rules Moral before your inferiours.

60th  Be not immodest in urging your Friends to Discover a Secret.

How about #56? And #58 and #59?  I mean, they're all good, but some really stand out, don't they?  For a bit different look at numbers 58 & 59 - which really speak to being pleasant around people, take the time to read Chris Brady's post of January 5th.

Remember as you read these, that Washington took them seriously enough to write down and follow at a young age. They had a major impact on his character development and his character was the foundation of his leadership abilities. 

Our country is at a crossroads today. What do you think Washington would make of the professional politicians whose greed and lack of character have put us in this position? Remember that you have the power through your vote to change the cast of characters in Washington DC.  You have the privilege and responsibility to educate yourself - to seek the truth and then do something about it.  If you love this country and care about your children and grandchildren, here's a good place to start.

George Washington - the next 20 Maxims

Happy New Year!   Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation".  I hope you enjoy them!

Ferry Farm, c. 1744

21st Reproach none for the infirmities of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.

22nd Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.

23rd When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.

24th Do not laugh too loud or too much at any Publick Spectacle.

25th Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.

26th In Pulling off your Hat to Persons of Distinction, as Noblemen, Justices, Churchmen &c make a Reverence, bowing more or less according to the Custom of the Better Bred, and Quality of the Person. Amongst your equals expect not always that they Should begin with you first, but to Pull off the Hat when there is no need is Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting and resaluting in words keep to the most usual Custom.

27th Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom it's due Likewise he that makes too much haste to Put on his hat does not well, yet he ought to Put it on at the first, or at most the Second time of being ask'd; now what is herein Spoken, of Qualification in behaviour in Saluting, ought also to be observed in taking of Place, and Sitting down for ceremonies without Bounds is troublesome.

(I must admit some confusion with regard to #27! I'm sure if we had been around 200 years ago, someone would have made it clear to us as to when we could put our hats back on.)

28th If any one come to Speak to you while you are Sitting Stand up tho he be your Inferiour, and when you Present Seats let it be to every one according to his Degree.

29th When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself, Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straight place to give way for him to Pass.

30th In walking the highest Place in most Countrys Seems to be on the right hand therefore Place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to Honour: but if three walk together the mid[dest] Place is the most Honourable the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.

31st If any one far Surpassess others, either in age, Estate, or Merit [yet] would give Place to a meaner than himself in his own lodging or elsewhere the one ought not to except it, So he on the other part should not use much earnestness nor offer] it above once or twice.

32nd: To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

33rd They that are in Dignity or in office have in all places Preceedency but whilst they are Young they ought to respect those that are their equals in Birth or other Qualitys, though they have no Publick charge.

34th 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 to begin.

35th Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

36th Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and highly Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy.

37th In Speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look them full in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a full Pace from them.

38th In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.

39th In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.

40th Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.

What a great one to end this post! 

I wish each of the politicians we have in office today would act with a measure of humility rather than lashing out when anyone dares oppose them - which marks them as having very little emotional intelligence (or should I just leave it as "little intelligence"? Yeah, I think I'll stick with that)

Now, if any of you had a thought of perhaps incorporating any of these into your New Year Resolutions, You might want to take a look at Chris Brady's New Years Eve post on his blog! Good Stuff! And while you're at it, check out Orrin Woodward's New Years Eve post as well.

And, if you're at all interested in any of our first President's other personal papers or documents, here's a good place to start!

George Washington - Character Based Leader
Topic: Leadership
As we close in on the end of a tumultuous political year, I thought it appropriate to review George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation".  Is it just me, or does it seem to you that many of our federal politicians - our "Leaders" - have no understanding of the words "civility" and "decent behavior"?  It's either that or that they choose to be boorish.  Many of them have no shame. They tell us outright lies and actually expect that if they tell us whoppers long enough and loud enough, we'll believe them.  Sadly, many do. Sadder yet is the fact that we put these people in office. 

What would the great General, a great leader - our first President - a Man among men -  think of the cast of characters now ensconced in the city called by his name?  Most of Washington's biographers have regarded these 100 Rules as formative influences in the early development of his character. Oh that such men, such leaders, were still being formed in this country today!  Their country needs them very much.  We need to build our lives upon the solid foundation of good character and morals, not just on gifts and abilities. Thank God there exist such folk and institutions who still hold truth dear and are striving to produce leaders like Washington today.  We pray for their success.  

Consider each maxim applicable to the 21st century, and think on the people you elected (or allowed to be elected) to represent you, and ask yourself, does their behavior indicate their agreement or disagreement? What does that say about their character?

Here we are fortunate to glimpse a portion of Washington's studies at about age sixteen - about 265 years ago.  I plan on implementing as many of these maxims as are appropriate for the present time and I invite you to do the same. We'll leave the language, spelling and punctuation as Washington recorded it. Off we go then with the first 20:

1st   Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

2d   When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usualy Discovered.

3d   Shew Nothing to your Frend that may affright him.

4th   In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.

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

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

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

8th   At Play and at Fire its Good manners to Give Place to the last Commer, and affect not to Speak Louder than Ordinary.

9th   Spit not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it neither Put your Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet upon the Fire especially if there be meat before it.

10th   When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even, without putting one on the other or Crossing them.

11th   Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails.

12th   Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by appr[oaching too nea]r him [when] you Speak.

13th   Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexteriously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.

14th   Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean not upon any one.

15th   Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and Teeth Clean yet without Shewing any great Concern for them.

16th   Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the Hands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lips too open or too Close.

17th   Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal.

18th   Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unask'd also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.

19th   Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.

20th   The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

Expect a few more in my next post. I want to give enough time to really think these through. 

Quoteables
"The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."- Josh McDowell

"Truth has no special time of its own.  Its hour is now - always."
- Albert Schweitzer

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend."
- John Leonard

"It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness."
- Confucius

"You can't always go by expert opinion.  A turkey, if you ask a turkey, should be stuffed with grasshoppers, grit and worms."
- Anonymous

Orrin Woodward of Team - Courage

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."- Henry David Thoreau

"A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort."- Sydney Smith

Saw these and was reminded of Orrin Woodward - a man who has the courage to dream.

Why not live the life you imagined? Can you honestly say that today's four meetings at work were about what you reallly value in life? Think back. Think hard.

What will be the reward for all your effort, for all the years of attending meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting? Will you be pushed out without the pension you thought you were going to get? Or will you get a smaller than expected pension to match those ever-diminishing medical benefits? What kind of life will you really have?

You can have the life of your dreams. All that is required is that you make the effort - that you begin to change some things.

That's what Orrin Woodward did. That's what you can do.

All it takes is a little courage.

Orrin Woodard of Team - Choice
William Jennings Bryan said: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

Orrin Woodward made a choice several years ago and created his destiny. And because he did, and because he created a system that you can plug into called the Team, you can choose to create your destiny. You don't create a destiny by waiting for it.

Here are a couple more thoughts to get you started:"Act as if it were impossible to fail."- Dorothea Brande

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing."- Abraham Lincoln

Be resolved and get moving. You will win.

Orrin Woodard of Team - Choice
William Jennings Bryan said: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

Orrin Woodward made a choice several years ago and created his destiny. And because he did, and because he created a system that you can plug into called the Team, you can choose to create your destiny. You don't create a destiny by waiting for it.

Here are a couple more thoughts to get you started:"Act as if it were impossible to fail."- Dorothea Brande

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing."- Abraham Lincoln

Be resolved and get moving. You will win.

Orrin Woodard of Team - Action
A couple of great quotes:

"We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once."- Calvin Coolidge"

An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied."- Arnold Glasow

One thing I've always admired about Orrin Woodward is that he is a man of action. He gets things done. Because he takes action, the Team has become an idea whose time has come. There is no stopping it. It will become the biggest business on the planet.

That's pretty big.

Thanks for your example Orrin. Keep moving.

Orrin Woodard of Team - A Man for Others

On page 140 of Jeffrey Marx’ book “Seasons of Life”, we find that Joe Erhmann’s code of conduct revolves around four masculinity traits which Joe claims form ”the moral and ethical foundation” of a man built for others. As I read, I couldn’t help but think of Orrin Woodward – truly a man built for others.

 

He accepts responsibility.

He leads courageously.

He enacts justice on behalf of others.

He expects God’s greater rewards.

 

I encourage you to get the book to read what he has to say about these traits.  It will be food for thought. I’ve personally watched Orrin Woodward accept responsibility, lead courageously and enact justice. That’s what his business, The Team, is all about. First, embracing the traits himself and then, creating a system that levels the playing field for anyone with the courage to want to improve their life.

 

As far as expecting God’s greater rewards, let me quote from the book as to what Joe meant by that.  Here’s Joe explaining it to Jeff: (p145)  “I think there is a time when God is going to reward people that were relationally just and lived a life filled with cause.  You don’t need to “get it all” in this world. You can say “no” to an awful lot of things (italics his) so that you can be focused on other people.  Ultimately, there is a day of reckoning.  And that is for all eternity.  You don’t have to have the biggest house, the biggest car, all that kind of stuff once you get there, and by knowing that, by expecting God’s greater rewards, you can free up your time and energy to be about other people, to be about your causes.”

 

A few years ago, Orrin Woodward decided to be about other people and to be about his cause – creating, with God’s grace and some work, the best business on the planet. Best because it gives everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy success.  Orrin didn’t necessarily expect great rewards.  He expected that God would be true to his character and would be just.  And of course, God is.

 

Because Orrin had great vision, was willing to take responsibility and lead courageously, and willing to teach others to do the same, the Team will one day be a household word.

Orrin Woodard of Team - More on Character

Ran across a poem in a great little book recommended to me by Jim Hunter entitled "Season of Life" by Jeffrey Marx.  The verse brought to mind Orrin Woodward, a man who can look at "The Man in the Glass" and be proud of himself.

When you get what you want in the struggle for self

and the world makes you king for a day,

then go to the mirror and look at yourself

and see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your mother, brother or friends

whose judgement you must pass.

The person whose verdict counts most in your life

is the one staring back in the glass.

You can go down the pathway of years,

receiving pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

if you cheated that guy in the glass.

Orrin Woodward refuses to cheat the guy in the glass. That's why I and several thousand others choose to follow him as he puts together the best business this world has ever seen.