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10 Rules to Live By, with Rules of Civility novel giveaway

September 17, 2011 by Jennifer

Rules of Civility was one of my most memorable summer reads. I was happy to be able to host a giveaway on my original review, and I’m just as happy to give you another chance to win the novel Rules of Civility (linked to my review) with a different spin.

In the novel, Tinker Gray uses George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” as a guide. As a fun tie-in to the novel, here are the top 10 rules, as chosen by the publisher:

  • (1st) Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.
  • (12th) Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak.
  • (50th) Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to the Disparagement of any.
  • (51st) Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush’d once every day at least and take heed that you approach not to any Uncleaness.
  • (56th) Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for ’tis better to be alone than in bad Company.
  • (68th) Go not thither, where you know not, whether you Shall be Welcome or not. Give not Advice without being Ask’d & when desired do it briefly.
  • (82nd) Undertake not what you cannot Perform but be Carefull to keep your Promise.
  • (89th) Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust.
  • (107th) If others talk at Table be attentive but talk not with Meat in your Mouth.
  • (110th) Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.

What do you think? Do these apply to today?

If you’d like to win a signed copy of Amor Towles’ Rules of Civility, I’d like you to share one of your own rules to live by today. They can be unique or tried-and-true. The giveaway is closed.

Just leave a comment with one of your own rules, and we’ll select a random winner (U.S. only), to be announced on September 28.

Don’t miss a thing: Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed or video reviews on YouTube. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.

One of Jennifer’s rules to live by is that if something must go, it should be the housework. She blogs at Snapshot.

Filed Under: Community, Fiction, Jennifer

« Fairer Than Morning
In Malice Quite Close »

Comments

  1. Jessica says

    September 17, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    My rule for civility is that you can’t comment on physical traits of someone unless you’re actually friends with them!

  2. Cindi says

    September 17, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Hi, This book is fabulous and would be fun to
    read and share! A rule of mine is never say
    anything about anyone, unless you can tell them
    to their face…
    Many thanks, Cindi

  3. Pam ( says

    September 17, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Oh fun! My rule of civility is that one should never ask a pregnant woman, “oh, are you having twins? No? Really, are you sure? Because you really look like you’re having twins….” really…it is a rule we should all live by.

  4. memetu says

    September 17, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    The civility rule is do as you want done to you.

  5. Liz says

    September 17, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    Current rules of civility should include: Listen when someone speaks to you.

    Would show respect (# 1); eliminate playing with your cell phone etc. and opening your mouth to say something, possibly offensive or derogatory, to offer unwanted advice, to speak with your mouth full, to promise something you can’t deliver (# 68, 82, 89, 107), or to spray spittle (# 12); and possibly allow you to learn something.

  6. Carol Wong says

    September 17, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    Mine is sort of like the golden rule. Never say anything about someone else that you wouldn’t to overhear about yourself.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  7. Janet says

    September 19, 2011 at 7:01 am

    My rule of civility is…..Look people in the eyes when they are speaking to you and try not to be distracted by other things at that time.

  8. Patricia says

    September 19, 2011 at 9:34 pm

    Treat everyone with kindness.

  9. Chris says

    September 20, 2011 at 1:10 am

    The golden rule is the biggest one in our house – especially applies between all the kids. It’s a never-ending struggle.

  10. Rosita says

    September 20, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    My rule is to give somebody the benefit of the doubt, which I hope they will give me too.

    • Jennifer says

      September 27, 2011 at 8:28 pm

      You won this book! Congrats.

      Please reply to this email with your shipping address.

  11. Carrie at In the Hammock Blog says

    September 20, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    don’t forget to say please and thank you 🙂 Thank you for the contest!

  12. Kristin says

    September 20, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    the golden rule covers a lot

  13. Bonnie says

    September 21, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Personal survival rule: If, over time, something gives me grief or negativity more than 50% of the time and it is in my power to change it, I do.

  14. June says

    September 26, 2011 at 7:07 am

    This book would be so good to read, thank-you for a second chance to win this!

  15. Teri C says

    September 28, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    The best laid plans are laid to rest. Truly I can create the simplest plans and try to enact them only to have them unravel in my hands.

    terilhack at yahoo dot com

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