Blame it on my short attention span or the fact that I am too busy to complete this project but I have thrown in the towel. Here are the other lessons I would like to teach my sons but they are all straight from George Washington. I would like to blog about other things now so thank you for your patience as I wrote this long book. Final chapter’s finally here:

61. Utter not base and frivolous things amongst grave and learn’d men nor very difficult questions or subjects, among the ignorant or things hard to be believed, stuff not your discourse with sentences amongst your betters nor equals.

62. Speak not of doleful things in a time of mirth or at the table; speak not of melancholy things as death and wounds, and if others mention them change if you can the discourse tell not your dreams, but to your intimate friend.

63. A man ought not to value himself of his achievements, or rare qualities of wit; much less of his riches virtue or kindred.

64. Break not a jest where none take pleasure in mirth laugh not aloud, nor at all without occasion, deride no mans misfortune, tho’ there seem to be some cause.

65. Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest scoff at none although they give occasion.

66. Be not forward but friendly and courteous; the first to salute hear and answer & be not pensive when it’s a time to converse.

67. Detract not from others neither be excessive in commanding.

68. 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.

69. If two contend together take not the part of either unconstrained; and be not obstinate in your own opinion, in things indifferent be of the major side.

70. Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to parents masters and superiors.

71. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of others and ask not how they came. What you may speak in secret to your friend deliver not before others.

72. 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; sublime matters treat seriously.

73. Think before you speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

74. When another speaks be attentive your self and disturb not the audience if any hesitate in his words help him not nor prompt him without desired, interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech be ended.

75. In the midst of discourse ask not of what one treateth but if you perceive any stop because of your coming you may well intreat him gently to proceed: if a person of quality comes in while your conversing it’s handsome to repeat what was said before.

76. While you are talking, point not with your finger at him of whom you discourse nor approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face.

77. Treat with men at fit times about business & whisper not in the company of others.

78. Make no comparisons and if any of the company be commended for any brave act of virtue, commend not another for the same.

79. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the truth thereof. In discoursing of things you have heard, name not your author. Always a secret discover not.

80. Be not tedious in discourse or in reading unless you find the company pleased therewith.

81. Be not curious to know the affairs of others neither approach those that speak in private.

82. Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.

83. When you deliver a matter do it without passion & with discretion, however mean the person be you do it too.

84. When your superiors talk to any body hearken not neither speak nor laugh.

85. In company of these of higher quality than yourself speak not ’til you are ask’d a question then stand upright put off your hat & answer in few words.

86. In disputes, be not so desireous to overcome as not to give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion and submit to the judgment of the major part especially if they are judges of the dispute.

87. Let thy carriage be such as becomes a man grave settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not at every turn what others say.

88. Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions, nor repeat often the same manner of discourse.

89. Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust.

90. Being set at meat scratch not neither spit cough or blow your nose except there’s a necessity for it.

91. Make no show of taking great delight in your victuals, feed not with greediness; cut your bread with a knife, lean not on the table neither find fault with what you eat.

92. Take no salt or cut bread with your knife greasy.

93. Entertaining any one at table it is decent to present him with meat, undertake not to help others undesired by the master.

94. If you soak bread in the sauce let it be no more than what you put in your mouth at a time and blow not your broth at table but stay till cools of it self.

95. Put not your meat to your mouth with your knife in your hand neither spit forth the stones of any fruit pie upon a dish nor cast anything under the table.

96. It’s unbecoming to stoop much to ones meat keep your fingers clean & when foul wipe them on a corner of your table napkin.

97. Put not another bite into your mouth ’til the former be swallowed let not your morsels be too big for the jowls.

98. Drink not nor talk with your mouth full neither gaze about you while you are drinking.

99. Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after drinking wipe your lips breath not then or ever with too great a noise, for its uncivil.

100. Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth napkin fork or knife but if others do it let it be done with a pick tooth.

101. Rinse not your mouth in the presence of others.

102. It is out of use to call upon the company often to eat nor need you drink to others every time you drink.

103. In company of your betters be not longer in eating than they are lay not your arm but only your hand upon the table.

104. It belongs to the chiefest in company to unfold his napkin and fall to meat first, but he ought then to begin in time & to dispatch with dexterity that the slowest may have time allowed him.

105. Be not angry at table whatever happens & if you have reason to be so, show it not but on a cheerful countenance especially if there be strangers for good humor makes one dish of meat a feast.

106. Set not yourself at the upper of the table but if it be your due or that the master of the house will have it so, contend not, least you should trouble the company.

107. If others talk at table be attentive but talk not with meat in your mouth.

108. When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously & with reverence. Honor & obey your natural parents altho’ they be poor.

109. Let your recreations be manfull not sinfull.

110. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

~Finis~