1732–1799
George Washington
American general and first President of the United States. As a teenager he copied out 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour, drawn from a 16th-century Jesuit handbook.
Every line we carry
Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.
- Keep alive the little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
This is the last of the 110 rules the young Washington copied out. Conscience is pictured as a small flame that needs tending or it goes out. Feed it with honest choices so it stays bright.
Rules of Civility, Rule 110, Original English (Washington's Rules of Civility, c. 1744; Conway edition, 1890)
- Better alone than in bad company.
The people around you shape your habits and your name. Solitude is better than a crowd that pulls you down. Choose company that makes you better, and be willing to stand alone until you find it.
Rules of Civility, Rule 56, Original English (Washington's Rules of Civility, c. 1744; Conway edition, 1890)
- Undertake nothing you cannot perform. Keep your promise.
Overpromising is easy and costly. Commit only to what you can deliver, then deliver it. A reputation for keeping your word is built one small promise at a time.
Rules of Civility, Rule 82, Original English (Washington's Rules of Civility, c. 1744; Conway edition, 1890)