labour to keep alive in your breast that little celestial fire called conscience run not in the streets nor with mouth open go not upon the toes nor in a dancing fashion george washington was known as a remarkably modest and courteous man humility and flawless manners were so ingrained in his character that he rarely if ever acted without them the rules of civility and decent behavior that governed washingtons etiquette were by turns practical inspirational and curious these rules are as instructive and invaluable today as they were hundreds of years ago george washingtons rules of civility and decent behavior includes the complete text of the rules as well as famous washington writings such as farewell to the armies speechinaugural addressretirement addressaddress at the end of his presidency