Civility and Humility

Philippians 2:3: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves
James 3:13: [Two Kinds of Wisdom] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. Seek not to dispute or control. Ben Franklin, Temperance
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly. Ben Franklin, Temperance
Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country. George Washington, upon fumbling for his glasses before delivering the Newburgh Address, March 15, 1783
Public affairs go on pretty much as usual: perpetual chicanery and rather more personal abuse than there used to be... Our American Chivalry is the worst in the world. It has no Laws, no bounds, no definitions; it seems to be all a Caprice. John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, April 17, 1826
Franklin would rather reason things out than dispute and contend.
Speak seldom, but to important subjects, except such as particularly relate to your constituents, and, in the former case, make yourself perfectly master of the subject. George Washington, Public Speaking, November 10, 1787
The greatest good we can do our country is to heal its party divisions and make them one people. Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Dickinson, July 23, 1801
But the mild voice of reason, pleading the cause of an enlarged and permanent interest, is but too often drowned, before public bodies as well as individuals, by the clamors of an impatient avidity for immediate and immoderate gain. James Madison, Federalist No. 42, January 22, 1788
It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society. James Madison, Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments, Circa June 20, 1785
It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known. George Washington, letter to Edward Carrington, May 1, 1796

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