A Dozen Good Rules by Hope

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 21, 1904

A Dozen Good Rules

By Hope

We were struck lately by the orderly behavior of a large family of children, particularly at the table. We spoke of it to their father, and he pointed to a paper pinned to the wall, on which were written some excellent rules. We begged a copy for the benefit of our readers. Here it is:—

1. Shut every door after you without slamming.

2. Don’t make a practise of shouting, jumping, or running in the house.

3. Never call to persons up-stairs or in the next room; if you wish to speak to them, go quietly where they are.

4. Always speak kindly and politely to everybody if you would have them do the same to you.

5. When told to do or not to do a thing by either parent, never ask why you should or should not.

6. Tell of your own faults and misdemeanors, not of those of your brothers and sisters.

7. Carefully clean the mud or snow off your boots before entering the house.

8. Be prompt at every meal.

9. Never sit down at the table or in the sitting-room with dirty hands or tumbled hair.

10. Never interrupt any conversation, but wait patiently your turn to speak.

11. Never reserve your good manners for company, but be equally polite at home and abroad.

12. Keep no secrets from your parents.

—Hope.