The Intrepid Wendell is deeply respectful of George Washington, who preferred to use the honorific “General” when being addressed. However, he was also the first President of the United States, a farmer, a distiller, a horseman, the husband to Martha Custis, and a gentleman.

His home at Mount Vernon, Virginia, is a short drive south of our K Street, Washington DC office suite. A few years ago, I bought a membership that allows exploration of Mount Vernon as often as I wish. Which happens to be pretty often. Whether I have time to spend an entire day roaming around or just have time to do a crossword puzzle seated on the back terrace that overlooks the Potomac River, I am always rewarded.

George Washington was deeply engaged in civility. We sometimes call this “manners” today. But to Washington, it was a way of life.

As a young man, he discovered a text called “Rules of Civility.”  The origination of the document is cited to a 16th century French Abbott on the Mount Vernon website, but it is always difficult to trace old documents.

Washington copied “Rules of Civility” many times as a handwriting exercise. However, the handwriting practice was only a part of the purpose. It was the psychological ingraining of these rules into his nature that was at the heart of the matter. In fact, the rules made up a critical part of Washington’s character.

Among my favorite rules are:

50: Be not hasty to believe flying Reports to the Disparag[e]ment 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.

82: Undertake not what you cannot Perform but be Carefull to keep your Promise.

110: Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Ce[les]tial fire Called Conscience.