As a home-schooler, Zak of the Strange Land VU blog, read George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. In his post today, he lists rules that caught his eye during his formative years:

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

#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 puts it off.

#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.

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

#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.

and my favorite,

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

Question: What would you add to the list?

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