16th
March 2012
Dear Cassi,
Today I
commit to memory George Washington’s third rule of civil and decent behavior: “Show Nothing to your Friend that may
affright him.” This is simple but experts have taken it to mean
“embarrassing people is inconsiderate.” The direct meaning is as good a rule as
the indirect.
If I had something like a rattle snake that I had milked of
its venom I doubt it would be polite to show the reptile to the unwarned. This
would “affright” them and be an embarrassment. Likewise, when I was a young man
folks would walk around with dirty pictures and show them to the young boys to
get a rise out of them. This too is rude.
Take it as note that showing folks things they have no wish
to see or telling the things that well upset them in casual conversation is
uncivil. It would be something else if a point was being made but rude for the
sake of reaction.
Stay safe, little sister
Richard Leland Neal
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