Philosopher Custodian Apr 8

Philosopher Custodian Apr 8

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George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation

This is the first twelve of the 110 Rules of Civility compiled by George Washington when he was a young man. All 110 Rules are found easily enough with a Google search; I found this particular set at http://www.nationalcenter.org/ which has an extensive selection of historical documents available: From the Magna Carta to important presidential speeches by G.W. Bush.


George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation: "1 Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.
2 When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered.
3 Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.
4 In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming voice, or drum with your fingers or feet.
5 If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately, and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside.
6 Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not on when others stop.
7 Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go out your chamber half dressed.
8 At play and attire, it's good manners to give place to the last comer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary.
9 Spit not into the fire, nor stoop low before it; neither put your hands into the flames to warm them, nor set your feet upon the fire, especially if there be meat before it.
10 When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even; without putting one on the other or crossing them.
11 Shift not yourself in the sight of others, nor gnaw your nails.
12 Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other, wry not the mouth, and bedew no man's face with your spittle by [approaching too near] him [when] you speak."

Making A Podcast With Free Podcasting Software » Podcasting News

Making A Podcast With Free Podcasting Software » Podcasting News

Latest Show & 'The Road' by C. McCarthy

I finally completed a show on blogtalkradio.com that I feel was reasonable enough to not erase; so log on to it if you feel like giving it a listen. I'll try to do another one tonight. the link is www.blogtalkradio.com/sdshaul.

I also finished 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy. Wow! What a dark and dismal tale that was. I won't give any spoilers, but I will say that I completely reject his premise. In my view, were the earth ever completely devestated by, whatever he was implying, some sort of an atomic war or environmental disaster, that the earth, I believe, would eventually self-rejuvinate. I know that the popular belief of the moment is that man is capable of both, causing &/or preventing ecological damage; & while I do not reject the notion that man has an influence on his environment, I also feel that man is incapable of destroying or saving the entire planet (the word 'planet' is a loaded word by the way; it implies something that is fragile and in need of assistence). I do not think that the earth would ever be in such a devestating mess as described by McCarthy. It is rather arrogant for man to think that he is capable of that kind of destruction. Man is incapable of destroying what God created. I guess you could say I am biassed.

Otherwise, it was a good father & son story. A tale about a man who is willing to do anything to survive & will go to extremes for his son who was, a son who was born into a scorched world & knows no other way of life. Simutaneously tragic & beautiful. But if you enjoy tales with very, very minute slivers of hope, if you could call it a sliver, then knock yourself out.

That's all for now....

Heck, Why Not Post Something?...

Well, well, well... Here we are again. I figured I ought to post something in order to keep this thing current.

Here is a quote by Aristotle that I thought appropriate:

All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.

Easy to say for a guy who never had to worry about paying the rent, but I certainly see where from where he is coming.

I was planning on doing a show on blogspotradio.com tonight, but once again I didn't feel I was ready. This is certainly a legitamate concern and not just because I say so. As my show will concern the Apology of Socrates, I at the very least wanted to have studied the four main dialogues that surround his trial: Apology, Crito, Euthyphro, & Phaedo. I have read all but Phaedo which I am working through right now. It seems to be the longest of the four. Having those four studied, I will be thoroughly ready to have my Apology show (I think), which will be an appropriate title by the time I get there: The Apology Show.

I am facinated by the personage who was Socrates. As with all historical characters, there is a tendancy to question what was actually done & said on so & so's behalf. It is the same with Jesus. Did Homer really write the Odyssey? Did Jesus really walk on water? Did Socrates really say that the unexamined life is not worth living. As for me, I would rather to give most history the benefit of the doubt. Until in can be proven to me concretely that Jesus did not actuaslly say, "It is finished." while on the cross, my trust will be invested in what the four gospels tell me he says. As long as I brought it up, Praise God that Jesus paid for my sin with His blood while on that cross! Prase be to His Name forever, Amen! Anyhow...

So for the moment, I want to return to Plato and finish Phaedo. If I have time before next Thursday (my next day off), I may also try to fit in some Republic. Take care until my next post, all three of you.

Just kidding, the number of folks following my blog is much lower than that. Thank you for caring.

Oh Boy, Did That Ever Suck!

I finally did my first show on blog talk radio and holy crap! I'm glad my first one is finished, because I did not do a good job. On the bright side, I don't think I can get any worse than that, but perhaps I ought to knock on some wood. I really ought to go erase that show, but I'll at least wait until my next one to see if I learned anything from my mistake(s).

This Was Supposed to be My Last Post, EVER!!... (for 2009), It Just Became My Very First Post, EVER!!... (for 2010)

Here we are! The end of another year. 2009... So, how was it for you?

Well, never mind that... Here we are! The beginning of another year.

Let's see if we have any freedoms left at the end of it.

I'm going to see if I can power my way through the entire Bible and see how long it takes me. This is a goal I have at the beginning of every year, & every year I seem to lose my focus. Perhaps with the aid of this blog I will make a more thorough attempt.

I am going to skip & come back to Genesis. Like I say, I have this goal in mind every year. Consequentially, I think I have read all the way through Genesis at least half a dozen times (it is always somewhere after Genesis that my goal becomes bogged down in daily minutia. So instead I will begin in Exodus... so there.

BTW, Welcome to 2010! We encourage to enjoy going through this year & be sure to notify your year passing attendants if you need anything. An extra beverage; a blanket; again, thank you for flying 2010, please keep your seats and trays in their upright & locked positions until we have achieved level flight & have been notified by the pilot.