By Tom Burke
Old Georgie Washington is a puzzlement.
He wasn’t history’s greatest tactician, most brilliant politician or eminently successful businessman. But he won an eight-year war against England, then the most formidable military power on the planet; crafted a strong central government with an effective executive branch that’s lasted 228 years, so far; kept America free from disaster during its perilous early years; and successfully managed a complex, multi-state agrarian enterprise (and very prodigious distillery) even though he spent most of his life away from it in government service.
And he was so beloved he was contemporaneously heralded as “The Father of His Country.”
“How did he do all this?” you ask. Historians posit his greatest leadership quality was probably his high moral character.
Where did that come from? Hard to describe in 800 (or so) words, but there’s an old book that helps us better understand him. He learned its lessons young and never forgot their import.
Titled “The Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation,” it was first written in 1595 by French Jesuits, translated into English in 1645, and given to young George when he was 12. He then hand-copied each of the 110 rules it contained, probably as penmanship practice, before he turned sixteen. And he never forgot them.
So what does a 422 year-old set of “rules” have to do with life or leaders today? A lot. A ton. A whole bunch.
Read on and ask yourself if anyone now in power might be a better man, better leader and better moral authority for following them.
(I’ve omitted rules about scratching lice in public or learning to “Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth, napkin, fork or knife.” I’ve also added some punctuation to make reading easier.)
1. Every action done in company, ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present.
22. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another though he were your enemy.
25. Superfluous compliments and all affectation of ceremony are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be neglected.
48. Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than precepts.
49. Use no reproachful language against any one; neither curse nor revile.
50. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.
56. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.
58. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for ’tis a sign of a tractable and commendable nature: and in all causes of passion admit reason to govern.
63. A man ought not to value himself of his achievements, or rare qualities of wit; much less of his riches, virtue or kindred.
65. Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none although they give occasion.
67. Detract not from others; neither be excessive in commanding.
70. Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to parents, masters and superiors.
73. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your words too hastily but orderly and distinctly.
79. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the truth thereof. In discoursing of things you have heard, name not your author. Always a secret discover not.
82. Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.
83. When you deliver a matter do it without passion and with discretion, however mean the person be you do it to.
87. Let thy carriage be such as becomes a man grave settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not at every turn what others say.
89. Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust.
109. Let your recreations be manful not sinful.
110. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
Adherence to these maxims didn’t make Washington a wimp, ineffective, unsuccessful or anything else — except one of the toughest, hardest-fannied warriors of his age; one of the most influential, successful leaders ever to occupy the presidency; and as much of a flourishing entrepreneur as any real estate mogul in recent memory.
He combined physical bravery with courtesy and civility (in one battle he had two horses shot from under him, four bullet holes in his uniform, and lead musket-ball fragments in his hair and still he fought on and saved his command); and didn’t need to bluster or bully; call people names; or pretend to be what he was not.
Could we use a Washington today? You bet we could.
Would we be happy with someone who just acted like Washington? Yeah.
Do we have a leader who did all Washington did, was as successful as he was, and will be remembered for his civility as much his accomplishments?
Read the list again: We report, you decide.
Tom Burke’s email address is t.burke.column@gmail.com.
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