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Better Conversations
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Jeff Miller
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Feb 22, 2006 07:15 PST
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Greetings
Here in the U.S. we just marked "President's Day". Other than an excuse
for some people to stay home from work (especially our federal gov't),
not much attention is paid to it.
One really nice newsletter that I receive is "Better Conversations"
published by Loren Ekroth. In his most recent posting he shares some of
the wisdom of our first U.S. president, George Washington. One of the
learnings for me, is that some things are ageless and timeless. I think
you'll see that in Washington's rules for conversation.
Info on how you can subscribe to this newsletter is included in it.
Be well.... /jeff
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------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 10:15:20 -0800
Subject: Better Conversations - George Washington's Rules for
Conversation
From: "Loren Ekroth" <lor-@conversation-matters.com>
Contents of Better Conversations, February 21, 2006
By popular request, we will be providing our ezine in both HTML and text
formats. You will be receiving it in the format your computer can
accept. As well, you may choose whichever format you prefer.
(Words this issue: 790 Reading time: 2.7 minutes)
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Contents:
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1. Conversation Quotation
2. Conversation Tip
3. Word-a-Week
4. Pronounce-a-thon
5. Word Trippers
6. Resourceville
7. What We're Reading
8. Changing Internet Services?
9. This Week's Article - George Washington's Rules for Conversation
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Conversation Quotation:
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"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and
silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
~ George Washington
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Conversation Tip:
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"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those
few be well tried before you give them your confidence."
~ George Washington
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Word-a-Week:
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precept (PREE-sept)
A rule of personal conduct. Also, a doctrine that is taught.
"Follow these precepts, young man, and you will be successful in life."
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Pronounce-a-thon:
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espresso
(thick, strong coffee is made from French or Italian roast)
Say the word aloud, then check the accuracy of your
pronunciation at the end of this week’s article.
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Word Trippers:
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Avoid, Evade
"Avoid" means to prevent or keep away from; "evade"
implies escape or elusion, often through trickery.
"The contractor built the railing to avoid any accidents."
"I stretched the truth to evade paying the traffic ticket."
(Word Trippers is provided courtesy of editor Barbara
McNichol, http://www.barbaramcnichol.com/.
Sign up at above site for her f*ree monthly ezine, "The
Door Opener" and receive a downloadable copy of her
Word Trippers booklet.)
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Resourceville:
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Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria on Jan 27, 1756, 250 years ago and
died at age 35 after creating more than 600 musical compositions. To
learn more about this musical genius, go to this website:
http://www.mozartproject.org
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What We're Reading:
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"Rules of Civility", The 110 Precepts That Guided Our
First President in War and Peace, by Richard Brookhiser
(1997) 90 pages.
These rules of conduct give us insights into the honorable way
Washington conducted himself throughout his life.
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Changing Internet Services:
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If you change internet services and don't re-subscribe
to our ezine, you will no longer receive "Better Conversations." If you
are changing, please re-subscribe now at www.conversation-matters.com.
Thanks!
====================================
This Week's Article:
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GEORGE WASHINGTON'S RULES FOR CONVERSATION
In honor of Washington's birthday (February 22), this week's article
offers a selection of precepts he lived by throughout his life.
According to Richard Brookhiser, these rules were first compiled by
French Jesuits in 1595 as a set of maxims entitled Decency of
Conversation Among Men. In 1640 they appeared in English. Some scholars
suppose that they were given to Washington by a teacher, or perhaps his
father, who told George to write them out.
My friend James Hodges, an expert on Washington, told me that when young
George contacted the French as a young diplomat of 21 years in western
Pennsylvania, and later when the French came to aid Americans in their
struggle against the British, they were much impressed by his knowledge
of these precepts they has also learned.
Washington's comportment and knowledge of civility may well have led to
better understanding with the French allies.
Although you will probably find his language a bit quaint, I think
you'll find the ideas clear. Here, in no particular order, are selected
precepts as written by Washington and followed by him throughout his
lifetime:
- Use no reproachful language against any one, neither curse nor revile.
- Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own
reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.
- Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none
although they give occasion.
- Be not forward but friendly and courteous, the first to salute, hear,
and answer. Be not pensive when it's a time to converse.
- Think before you speak, pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your
words too hastily, but orderly, distinctly.
- When another speaks be attentive yourself, and disturb not the
audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not nor prompt him
without being desired. Interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech
be ended.
- Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions, nor repeat
often the same manner of discourse.
- Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust.
- The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon.
- Every action done in company ought to be done with some sign of
respect to those who are present.
- Give not advice without being asked, and when desired do it briefly.
- Speak not in an unknown tongue in company but in your own language and
that as those of quality do and not as the vulgar.
- Treat with men at fit times about business and whisper not in the
company of others.
Not bad advice for "making friends and influencing people," is it not?
Originated by the French and later passed along by Washington and
others, these precepts seem to stand the test of time.
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Pronounce-a-thon Answer:
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espresso:
correct: ess-PRESS-oh
Incorrect: ex-PRESS-oh
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Loren Ekroth © 2006, All rights reserved
Loren Ekroth, Ph.D. is a specialist in human communication and a
national expert on conversation for business and social life. His
articles and programs strengthen critical communication skills for
business and professional people.
Contact at Lor-@conversation-matters.com
Check resources and articles at
www.conversation-matters.com.
To subscribe, go to www.conversation-matters.com
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http://www.conversation-matters.com
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