Who said the following?

Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts.

Was it:

1. King Solomon, Proverbs (King James Bible)
2. Plato, The Republic
3. Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew
4. George Washington, Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior
5. Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac

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The answer is George Washington.

Washington, when he was only 14 years old, compiled a list of 110 rules, most of which we could benefit from even today. I find it hard to imagine any teenager today being capable of behaving with such civility, much less writing down the rules.

Some of the Rules deal with conduct in public or in polite company:

When in company put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered.

These days we would say "uncovered," I think.

Run not in the streets; neither go too lowly nor with mouth open; go not shaking your arms; kick not the earth with your feet; go not upon the toes nor in a dancing fashion.

Parading moonbats, take heed.

Being set at meat, scratch not; neither spit, cough, or blow your nose, except if there is a necessity for it.

Even if there is a necessity, please refrain from the aforementioned behaviors anyway.

Many of the Rules are directed more towards matters of character:

Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

Schadenfreude is best kept to oneself.

When a man does all he can though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

Everyone fails at one time or another, despite their best efforts.

As the old Korean proverb puts it, 원숭이도 나무에서 또로칩니다 – sometimes even monkeys fall out of trees.

Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.

Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

Labour to keep alive in your breast that little celestial fire called conscience.

Preach it, Brother George.

Posted by Russ at 02:55 PM, July 29, 2005 in History