Above is a pic of my youngest daughter and me.
My Husband, My brother in Christ
Rules for Decent Behavior
There are rules for everything.
Driving rules, house rules... rules, rules, rules.
Truly the only sufficient rule of conduct for believers is the Word of God.
I thought I'd share a few of George Washington's Rules for Decent Behavior. Some of which are quite funny. I have a lot of respect for the history of George Washington. He was a true warrior who was "as great in peace as he was in victorious conquest." He was "humane, just, magnanimous, and patriotic. Even in retirement he became much beloved for the gentler virtues, as he had been admired for the greatness of his genius, and the splendor of his achievements." Perhaps I am wrong, but I picture him writing this little booklet for his grandchildren. It is a sweet little book with 110 rules. I could even see him chuckle at a few. But it is his last two rules that really struck at my heart. I will list a few of them according to how they are numbered in the book.
Rule#:
11. Shift not yourself in the sight of others nor gnaw your nails.
(in other words, do your best not to show how immensely bored you are)
12. Shake not the head, feet or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other; wry not the mouth; and bedew no man's spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.
(in other words, don't let them know how stupid you think they are, nor let them get you so miffed that you get close enough to not only bedew them with your spittle, but likely also, their bad breath)
13. Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom its due...
(in other words, I'm confused)
30. In walking, the highest place in most countries seems to be on the right hand, therefore put yourself on the left of him whom you desire to honor, but if three walk together, the mid place is the most honorable; the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.
(Okay, ummm, could you repeat that???)
36. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician if you be not knowing therein.
(Knowing therein I am not the doctor, but my husband is one, why do people ask me questions when my husband is not around as though I am one? My answer is usually "I'm not the one that is the doctor." When people bleed, I want to hurl. I sew material. Unlike my husband, I do not sew flesh.)
54. Run not in the street; neither go too slowly nor with your mouth open; go not shaking your arms, kick not the earth with your feet; go not upon your toes in a dancing fashion.
(Okay, so... this one has left me speechless)
61. ...stuff not your discourse with sentences...
(Wow... this fits well with the blogosphere)
75. ...If a person of quality comes in while you are conversing, it is handsome to repeat what was said before.
(I just forgot that the word handsome could be used in this context.)
90. Being set at meat, scratch not; neither cough, spit, or blow your nose, except if there is necessity for it.
(Necessity being if you have something protruding from your nose, do not hesitate to wipe it)
100. Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth, napkin, fork, or knife, but if others do it, let it be done with a pick tooth. (In otherwords, brush your teeth so you do not have to wipe them off with the table cloth even when others do it.)
I saved the best for last.
108. When you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence. Honor and obey your natural parents although they be poor.
110. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little celestial fire called conscience.
George Washington's mother's name was Mary Ball. His father died when he was almost 11 years old. She was left to educate a rather large family; 6 of her own and 2 from her husband's former wife. There were 2 more step-children making 10 in all. And it was said that Mary Ball was so good to her 4 step-children, that one could not tell which were her biological ones. But their father left his family well provided for. The providential hand of God is so clear in George Washington's life. Washington's older brother obtained a commission for him as a midshipman in the British navy, thinking by this means to advance his interests. Washington appeared to be so pleased with the prospect, but the consent of his fond and faithful mother had to be obtained. She did not consent. Had Washington entered the British navy, it is probable his name would have never been heard of. Washington yielded obedience to his mother's wishes as the providence of God worked out another path for him to be the first president of the United States.
Echoing the young officers who served with Washington in his youth, Ames said that, even as a young man, Washington had "acquired a maturity of judgment, rare in age, unparalleled in youth. Perhaps no young man had so early laid up a life’s stock of materials for solid reflection, or settled so soon the principles and habits of his conduct. . . ." ---from Fisher Ames’ Eulogy of Washington, February 8, 1800
Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision. He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man... his was the singular destiny and merit, of leading the armies of his country successfully through an arduous war, for the establishment of its independence; of conducting its councils through the birth of a government, new in its forms and principles, until it had settled down into a quiet and orderly train; and of scrupulously obeying the laws through the whole of his career, civil and military, of which the history of the world furnishes no other example. . . .---Thomas Jefferson remembered Washington fourteen years after his death, in a letter of January 2, 1814, to Dr. Walter Jones
Carla wrote an excellent article called Watching Our P's and Q's
(This is a reprint from April 2006)
Comments
"30. In walking, the highest place in most countries seems to be on the right hand, therefore put yourself on the left of him whom you desire to honor, but if three walk together, the mid place is the most honorable; the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.
(Okay, ummm, could you repeat that???)"
He said...
"In walking, the highest place in most countries seems to be on the right hand, therefore put yourself on the left of him whom you desire to honor, but if three walk together, the mid place is the most honorable; the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together."
Posted by: Roadkill | April 3, 2006 12:29 AM
Thanks. That helped. Now I've got it down, I think.
ummmm?
I'll just stick with memorizing scripture.
Posted by: 4ever4given | April 3, 2006 06:38 AM
Actually that's really cool. It's an old gentleman thing that when you walk on a street with a woman, you walk on the street side of her and when there is a beautiful view you let her be on the side closest to it...etc. I've never heard it applied to men before???? I have so manythings I want to say right now but I won't *wink*
Mike
Posted by: Roadkill | April 3, 2006 10:42 AM
You should read the entire booklet. It is actually quite clever. Especially when reading of the reputation of George Washington over his lifetime. He obviously, in spite of having lost his father at age 11, had a Proverbs 31 mother. Having not grown up with a mother, I always enjoy reading of such women. I have met a few in my lifetime that have so blessed me... including my mother-in-law.
Posted by: 4ever4given | April 3, 2006 10:57 AM
OK, this is really weird. Many years ago, my great aunt painted a portrait of my grandmother that I just loved. However, it always reminded me a bit of George Washington. Her maiden name? Ethel Ruth Ball. No relation, I am sure... Or am I?
Thanks for these quotes, Lisa. They can be rather difficult to decipher, can't they?
Posted by: sheshe | September 9, 2007 05:35 PM