Regency Culture and Society: 10 Maxims for Conduct in Life

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A Treatise on Politeness, etc (1813) authored by A Lady gives us 100 Maxims for Conduct.  We present the first 10, which honestly wouldn’t look that out of place over an image posted to Instagram.

MAXIMS FOR OUR CONDUCT IN LIFE 1 If you wish to be happy and respected fear God be faithful to your prince sincere and honest with all men

2 If you receive one act of kindness return two if in your power 3 If you have no fortune endeavour to deserve one this blind goddess will sometimes open her eyes upon perseverance and industry 4 Never reprove before company lest those you correct may imagine you dislike themselves more than their faults 5 Be cautious in your expressions a word uttered in passion or even an ill timed jest has often cost its author dear though intended to serve him 6 Make as many friends as you can there are however so few real friends that you

ought not to depend too much upon any You will find your best friend in yourself if you fulfil carefully every duty to God and man 7 Let your love of this world be proportioned to the probable time you are to spend in it the wise traveller does not linger in the first pleasing spot he meets he recollects he is only a passenger and pushés forward to the end of his journey 8 Wherever you go let your consequence be proved not by words but actions the regularity and probity of our conduct will be much better vouchers of our dignity than any account we can give of ourselves 9 If you enjoy any place of trust employ none but persons of experience capable of

serving the prince and the state Promise nothing but what you are able to perform and take advice from those only who are both wise and disinterested 10 Avoid idleness as the most dangerous of evils when the spirit is unemployed it becomes matter when it is well employed the matter becomes spirit

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