In setting rules for your children, consider these:- Every time you are in the company of others, you ought to show some sign of respect to those present.
- Do not sing to yourself with a humming noise, or drum with your fingers or feet, in the presence of others.
- Do not sleep when others speak, sit when others are standing, or speak when you should keep quiet. Do not walk away from someone who is speaking to you.
- Do not try to joke or play with someone who does not feel like playing. Do not lean on or touch another person unless they give you permission.
- Do not read letters, books, or pages in the company of others. If you have something urgent to read then ask your visitors to give you a few moments to go into another room for reading purposes. Do not read another person’s letters unless asked. Do not look over another person’s shoulder when they are trying to write.
- When someone is speaking, be attentive and do not disturb the audience. If the speaker is having trouble forming words, do not try to help him unless asked to help. Do not interrupt the speaker, or ask him a questions, until his speech is ended.
- Stay away from people who constantly speak about others people behind their back. Do not get into the habit of prying into the private life of any person.
- Be thankful for the food that is set before you to eat, whether it be large or small. Do not find fault with the cooking that others do on your behalf. It is very improper to lean on the table when you eat. Do not grab food from the table in a greedy manner; rather, let other people take their food before you start to eat.
- If you visit someone who is sick, do not try to play the physician unless you have training as a doctor. Always speak the truth plainly, using the Bible as your guide. A sick or lonely person should not be told a false report about their condition. False hope breeds misery.
- It is improper and arrogant to try to teach someone to do something they already know how to do.
- Do not push people into giving up secrets. Gossip is the sport of fools.
- If two or more people are arguing with each other, do not seek to take sides until you are sure you know all the facts.
- Do not start arguments at the dinner table. Good humor makes any meal a wonderful feast.
- Give honor to whom honor is due. Render respect to those who are in authority regardless of their birth. Be sure to take off your hat and open the door for all women, as well as men.
- Respect your elders at all times. Permit them the first chance to speak when in their company.
- In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place.
- When you give someone else advice, be sure to give it in a spirit of modesty. Do not be quick to point out another person’s faults.
- When you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously, in reverence. Never use God’s name unless it is for the purpose of worship, praise, or godly instruction.
- Give honor to you parents for God’s sake, though they may be at times poor or cruel.
- In your clothing, be modest and endeavor to accommodate nature, rather than to procure admiration. Keep to the fashion of your equals if they are civil and orderly with respect to times and places.
- Do not play the peacock -- looking everywhere about to see if you are well decked, if your shoes fit well, if your stockings set neatly, and your clothes impress others.
- Think before you speak and pronounce carefully; God will require each person to answer for each spoken word.
- Do not make a habit of promising to do things that are beyond your normal ability to perform. When you make a promise, be sure you can keep it.
- Make sure that you are organized when you give a speech. Do not bounce from one subject to another or repeat often the same matter.
- Let your general daily attitude be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat sober.
- Never use bad language against anyone. Do not curse or revile them.
- Do not mock or jest at anything of importance. If you happen to say something funny or pleasant, do not laugh at your own humor.
- If you are to develop a good name and reputation, be sure to choose companions that have a godly character; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
- Never rejoice at another person’s calamity, even when there seems to be come cause. To avoid looking foolish, be sure to laugh only when there is just cause.
- Give advice to others only when they ask for it to be given. Do not visit or stay at a place where you are not welcome. Be sure that you do not take undue advantage of another person’s kindness.
- Do not state that something is true if you are not sure of the source. In sharing information with others, be slow to release the name of the author, for some information is better kept secret.
- When a person does all that he can do to succeed in a noble endeavor, and yet fails, do not blame him for trying. Commend someone who has done a good deed, but do not engage in excess flattery.
- Do not envy the blessings of others. God gives to all that honor Him more than they deserve.
- Do not whisper to another person when you are among company. Furthermore, what you speak in secret to your friend, deliver not to another person’s ear.
- Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Moses brought down from Mount Sinai the Ten Commandments, not The Ten Suggestions.
(These rules of behavior were written by George Washington, at the ripe old age of thirteen!)
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