George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour – Pocket Hardcover

The Rules That Shaped a Founding Father

As a young man aspiring to the status of Gentleman, George Washington copied out 110 rules of civility and decent behaviour by hand. Rooted in a set of precepts composed by French Jesuits in 1595 and first published in English in Francis Hawkins’ Youths Behaviour, or Decency in Conversation Amongst Men (1640), Washington’s handwritten version became a personal code he aimed to live by throughout his life.

These are not abstract ideals—they are practical, specific, and surprisingly timeless: how to dress, how to walk, how to eat in public, how to address one’s superiors. At their core, they are about self-respect and respect for others. The same principles that shaped the character of America’s first president.

What’s Inside

• All 110 of Washington’s Rules of Civility – Reproduced as Washington wrote them, in his simplified adaptation of the original Jesuit text
• Historical context – Traces the rules from their 1595 French Jesuit origins through Hawkins’ 1640 English edition to Washington’s own hand
• Pocket hardcover format – Compact, elegant, and gift-ready

Book Details

• Subject: George Washington
• Publisher: Applewood Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Dimensions: 4.25" × 6.75"
• Pages: 36
• ISBN: 9781557091031

A Gift Rooted in Character

Perfect for history enthusiasts, graduates, or anyone who believes good manners never go out of style. This pocket edition makes a meaningful gift for Independence Day, Father’s Day, or any occasion worth marking with something lasting.