As a youth, George Washington learned some rules that helped him all his life. He was taught penmanship by his tutor who used “The Rules of Civility and Descent Behaviour in Company and Conversation” as dictated material that George would have to rewrite time, and time again in order to improve his penmanship. Doing this George also learned some manners, life principles in dealing with others, and how to make good conversation.

One of the rules that helped him not only in his youth, but also in his later years, and throughout his life, would be good to learn today.

“Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

George always chose to be associated with men of sound understanding and good quality and built his own good character in so doing. This maxim is wise for us to follow today.