George Washington's 110 Rules of Civility -

Rule 1. Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.

Rule 2. When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usually discovered.

Rule 3. Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.

Rule 4. In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

Rule 6. If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside.

Rule 7. Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go out your chamber half dressed.

Rule 8. At play and at fire it is good manners to give place to the last comer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary.

Rule 9. 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.

Rule 10. When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even, without putting one on the other or crossing them.

Rule 11. Shift not yourself in the sight of others nor gnaw your nails.

Rule 12. Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other; wry not thy mouth; and bedew no man's face with your spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.

Rule 13. 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 clothes of your companions, put it off privately; and if it be upon your own clothes, return thanks to him who put it off.

Rule 14. 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.

Rule 15. Keep your nails clean and short, also your hands and teeth clean, yet without showing any great concern for them.

Rule 16. 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 close.

Rule 17. Be no flatterer; neither play with any that delights not to be played with.

Rule 18. 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 or give your opinion of them unasked; also look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

Rule 19. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave.

Rule 20. The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon.

Rule 21. Reproach none for the infirmities of nature, nor delight to put them that have in mind thereof.

Rule 22. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

Rule 23. When you see a crime punished, you may be inwardly pleased, but always show pity to the suffering offender.

Rule 24. Do not laugh too much or too loud in public.

Rule 25. Superfluous compliments and all affection of ceremony are to be avoided, yet where due, they are not to be neglected.

Rule 26.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. Among your equals, expect not always that they should begin with you first, but to pull off your hat when there is no need is affectation; in the matter of saluting and resaluting in words, keep to the most usual custom.

Rule 27. '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 of the second time of being asked. Now what is herein spoken, of qualification in behavior in saluting, ought to be observed in taking of place, and sitting down for ceremonies without bounds in troublesome.

Rule 28. If anyone come to speak to you while you are sitting, stand up, though he be your inferior; and when you present seats, let it be to everyone according to his degree.

Rule 29. When you meet with one of greater quality than yourself, stop, and retire, especially is it be a door or any straight place to give way for him to pass.

Rule 30. In walking, the highest place in most countries seems to be on the right hand, therefore, place 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.

Rule 31. If any one far surpasses others, either in age, estate, or merit, yet would give place to one meaner than himself in his own lodging, the one ought not to accept it; so he, on hte other hand, should not use much earnestness nor offer it above once or twice.

Rule 32. To one that is your equal, or not much inferior, you are to give the chief place in your lodging; and he to who it is offered ought at first to refuse it, but at the second accept, though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

Rule 33. They that are in dignity or in office have in all places precedency; but whilst they are young they ought to respect those that are their equals in birth or other qualities, though they have no public charge.

Rule 34. 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.

Rule 35. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.

Rule 36. Artificers & persons of low degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords or others of high degree, but respect and highly honor them; and those of high degree ought to treat them with affability & courtesy, without arrogance.

Rule 37. In speaking to men of quality, do not lean nor look them full in the face, nor approach too near them, at least keep full place from them.

Rule 38. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician if you be not knowing therein.

Rule 39. In writing or speaking, give every person his due title according to his degree & the custom of the place.

Rule 40. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgement to others with modesty.

Rule 41. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes, it savours of arrogance.

Rule 42. Let thy ceremonies in courtesy be proper to the dignity of his place with who thou converses, for it is absurd to act the same with a clown and a prince.

Rule 43. Do not express joy before one sick or in pain, for that contrary passion will aggravate his misery.

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

Rule 45. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or private, presently or at some other time, in what terms to do it; and in reproving show no sign of cholar, but do it with all sweetness and mildness.

Rule 46. Take all admonitions thankfully in what time or place soever given, but afterwards, not being culpable, take a time & place convenient to let him know it that gave them.

Rule 47. Mock not nor jest at any thing of importance; break no jests that are sharp biting; and if you deliver any thing witty and pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself.

Rule 48. Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts.

Rule 49. Use no reproachful language against anyone; neither curse nor revile.

Rule 50. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.

Rule 51. Wear not your clothes foul, ripped or dusty, but see that they be brushed once every day, at least, and take heed that you are approach not any uncleanness.

Rule 52. In your apparel be modest and endeavour to accommodate 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.

Rule 53. Run not in the streets; neither go too slowly nor with mouth open; go not shaking your arms; kick not the earth with your feet; go not upon the toes nor in the dancing fashion.

Rule 54. Play not the peacock, looking everywhere about you to see if you be well decked, if your shoes fit well, if your stockings sit neatly, and clothes handsomely.

Rule 55. Eat not in the streets nor in the house out of season.

Rule 56. Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

Rule 57. 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.

Rule 58. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern.

Rule 59. Never express anything unbecoming nor act against the rules moral before your inferiors.

Rule 60. Be not immodest in urging your friends to discover a secret.

Rule 61. Utter not base and frivilous things amongst grave and learned men; nor very difficult questions or subjects among the ignorant; or with things hard to be believed, stuff not your discourse with sentences, amongst your betters nor equals.

Rule 62. Speak not of doleful things in a time of mirth or at the table; speak not of melancholy things as death and wounds, and if others mention them, change if you can the discourse. Tell not your dreams but to your intimate friends.

Rule 63. A man ought not to value himself of his achievements or rare qualitites of wit, much less of his riches, virtue or kindred.

Rule 64. Break not a jest where none take pleasure in mirth; laugh not aloud, nor at all without occasion, deride no man's misfortune, though there seems to be some cause.

Rule 65. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest or earnest; scoff at none although they give occasion.

Rule 66. Be not forward but friendly and courteous; be the first to salute, hear, and answer; & be not pensive when it's time to converse.

Rule 67. Detract not from others; neither be excessive in commanding.

Rule 68. Go not thither, where you know not, whether you shall be welcoming or not. Give not afvice without being asked & when desired do it briefly.

Rule 69. If two contend together, take not the part of either unconstrained; and be not obstinate in your own opinion; in things indifferent be of the major side.

Rule 70. Reprehend not the imperfections of others, for that belongs to parents, masters, and superiors.

Rule 71. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of others and ask not how they came. What you may speak in secret to your friend, deliver not before others.

Rule 72. Speak not in an unknown tongue in company, but in your own language and that as those of quality do and not as the vulgar. Sublime matters treat seriously.

Rule 73. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly & distinctly.

Rule 74.When another speaks be attentive yourself and disturb not the audience; if any hesitates in his words, help him not, nor prompt him without desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech be ended.

Rule 75. In the midst of discourse ask not of what one treateh, but if you perceive any stop because of your coming may well intreat him gently to proceed. If a person of quality comes in while you are conversing, it is handsome to repeat what was said before.

Rule 76. While you are talking, point not with your finger at him of whom you discourse nor approach too near him to whom you talk, especially his face.

Rule 77. Treat with men at fit times about business; and whisper not in the company of others.

Rule 78. Make no comparisons; and if any of the company be commeded for any brave act of virtue, comment not another for the same.

Rule 79. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the trust thereof. In discoursing of things you have heard, name not your author; always a secret discover not.

Rule 80. Be not tedious in discourse or in reading unless you find the company pleased therewith.

Rule 81. Be not curious to know the affairs of others; neither approach those that speak in private.

Rule 82. Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise.

Rule 83. When you deliver a matter do it with passion & with discretion, however mean the person be you do it to.

Rule 84. When your superiors talk to any body, hearken not neither speak nor laugh.

Rule 85. In the company of those of higher quality than yourself, speak not until you are asked a question, then stand upright, put off your hat, & answer in few words.

Rule 86. In disputes, be not so desirous to overcome as not to give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion and submit to the judgement of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute.

Rule 87. Let thy carriage be such as becomes a man: grave, settled, and attnetive to that which is spoken. Contradict not at every turn what others say.

Rule 88. Be not tedious in discourse, make not many disgressions, nor repeat often the same manner of discourse.

Rule 89. Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust.

Rule 90. Being set at meat, scratch not; neither spit, cough, or blow your nose, except if there is a necessity for it.

Rule 91. Make no show of taking great delight in your victuals; feed not with greediness; cut your bread with a knife; lean not on the table; neither find fault with what you eat.

Rule 92. Take no salt, nor cut your bread with your greasy knife.

Rule 93. Entertaining anyone at the table it is decent to present him with meat; undertake not to help others undesired by the master.

Rule 94. If you soak your bread in the sauce, let it be no more than what you put in your mouth at a time; and blow not your mouth at a time; and blow not your broth at table but stay till it cools of itself.

Rule 95. Put not your meat to your mouth with your knife in your hand; neither spit forth the stones of any fruit pie upon a dish nor cast anything under the table.

Rule 96. It is unbecoming to stoop too much to one's meat. Keep your fingers clean & when foul, wipe them on a corner of your table napkin.

Rule 97. Put not another bit into your mouth till the former be swallowed. Let not your morsels be too big.

Rule 98. Drink not, nor talk with your mouth full; neither gaze about you while you are drinking.

Rule 99. Drink not too lesiurely, nor yet too hastily; before and after drinking, wipe your lips, breath not then or ever with too great a noise, for it is uncivil.

Rule 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.

Rule 101. Rinse not your mouth in the presence of others.

Rule 102. It is out of use to call upon the company often to eat; nor need you drink to others every time you drink.

Rule 103. In company of your better, be not longer in eating than they are; lay not your arm but only your hand upon the table.

Rule 104. It belongs to the chiefest in the company to unfold his napkin and fall to meat first, but he ought then to begin in time & to dispatch with dexterity that the slowest may have time allowed him.

Rule 105. Be not angry at table whatever happens, and if you have reason to be so, show it not; put on a cheerful countenance especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish of meat a feast.

Rule 106. Set not yourself at the upper end of the table; but if it be your due or that the master of the house would have it is, contend not, least you should trouble the company.

Rule 107. If others talk at the table, be attentive; but talk not with meat in your mouth.

Rule 108. When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously & with reverence. Honor & obey your natural parents although they be poor.

Rule 109. Let your recreations be manful not sinful.

Rule 110. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little celestial fire called conscience.