With all of the controversy and argumentative posturing swirling about us during this pre-election time, perhaps we would all do well to think about George Washington's "Rules of Civility" which he wrote as a very young man. He set down 110 precepts and later adopted many of them as the basis for his political philosophy. I quote a few here for your consideration:
"Use no reproachful language against anyone, neither curse nor revile."
"Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust."
"Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any."
"Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none although they give occasion."
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"Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience."
While these were written in the 1700s, I believe they will work very nicely in 2006.
Dorcas J. Gravley
New London
