My favorite bits from Francis Bacon’s Of Discourse
don’t be tedious let other people talk if someone is hogging, cut him off ask questions that people can look good answering don’t be a poser with smartass questions don’t bitch about others eloquence is overrated It’s Not About You My favorite bits from George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation:
Respect others If your friend has lice, remove it privately When visiting the sick, don’t play physician “Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes” Take all admonition thankfully Use no reproachful language ”Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any” Associate with quality people No malice or envy Don’t intimidate the ignorant Don’t ruin the mood; if someone else does, fix it Don’t laugh at others’ misfortune Be courteous Give not advice without being asked Reprehend not the imperfection of others Gaze not on the blemishes of others and ask not how they came Think before you speak When another speaks, be attentive and do not interrupt Don’t relate news if you don’t know the truth Be not tedious in discourse Be not curious to know the affairs of others In disputes, be not desirous to overcome; give liberty to each to deliver his opinion Be not angry at the table whatever happens --- https://jon....