Standards of Conduct
The Character of a Republic
Inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues and George Washington’s Rules of Civility
A modern framework for character, citizenship, and leadership
America’s Founders understood something that modern society often forgets:
Self-government begins with self-discipline.
The Constitution, elections, courts, and laws are essential to preserving a republic, but they cannot substitute for character. No system of government can remain healthy if its citizens lack self-control, its communities lack civility, or its leaders lack integrity.
For this reason, many of the Founders devoted considerable attention to the development of personal character. Benjamin Franklin created his famous Thirteen Virtues as a framework for self-improvement and personal accountability. George Washington, as a young man, carefully copied and studied 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior that would influence his conduct throughout his life and help shape the character that made him one of the most respected leaders in history. Washington’s rules emphasized respect, humility, attentiveness, self-discipline, courtesy, and the proper exercise of authority.
The language used by Franklin and Washington reflected the customs and expectations of the eighteenth century. While some of their specific examples may feel outdated, the principles behind them remain timeless. For that reason, we have done our best to interpret and translate their ideas into modern language while remaining faithful to their original intent.
This is not a replacement for Franklin’s virtues or Washington’s rules. It is an invitation to follow their example.
Whether you are a citizen seeking personal growth, a parent shaping the next generation, a business leader responsible for employees, or a public servant entrusted with the confidence of others, these principles provide a framework for self-examination.
Why this is here
These 43 standards are the house rules of Reviving Our Republic. They set what every member can expect of everyone else here — in comments, in profiles, and in disagreement.
If you are here as a candidate for office, a representative, or someone who has chosen a life of service through political leadership, they carry more weight still: they are a public measure of character that transcends party, ideology, and personality. Accepting them is a condition of listing on this platform, and we ask every applicant to affirm them before their profile goes live.
The Founders believed that a republic could survive only if its citizens possessed the character necessary to govern themselves. That process begins with three questions:
- 01
Can you govern yourself?
- 02
How do you treat others?
- 03
Can you be trusted with power?
Part I
Franklin — Personal Character
How You Govern Yourself
Benjamin Franklin believed that before a person could contribute meaningfully to society, they must first learn to govern themselves. His virtues focused on discipline, responsibility, honesty, humility, and personal growth. These principles ask you to examine your habits, choices, and conduct — and to consider whether you possess the self-control that the wise exercise of freedom requires.
- 1
Self-Control
Avoid excess in food, drink, entertainment, social media, or anything else that clouds judgment or weakens discipline.
- 2
Thoughtful Communication
Speak with purpose. Listen more than you talk. Avoid gossip, outrage, and conversations that add more heat than light.
- 3
Organization
Create systems for your life. Keep your space, schedule, and priorities in order so your attention can focus on what matters.
- 4
Commitment
Make promises carefully and keep them faithfully. Follow through on what you know is right, even when it is difficult.
- 5
Stewardship
Spend your time, money, and resources wisely. Invest in things that create lasting value and avoid waste.
- 6
Productivity
Use your time intentionally. Pursue meaningful work and avoid distractions that consume energy without creating value.
- 7
Integrity
Be honest in word and action. Seek truth, reject deception, and align what you say with what you believe.
- 8
Responsibility
Treat others fairly. Fulfill your obligations and use your talents and opportunities to contribute to the common good.
- 9
Balance
Avoid extremes in thought, emotion, and behavior. Seek wisdom rather than reaction and perspective rather than polarization.
- 10
Care
Maintain your body, your home, your work, and your digital life. Respect yourself and your surroundings.
- 11
Composure
Do not surrender your peace to things beyond your control. Focus on solutions rather than frustrations.
- 12
Respectful Relationships
Honor the dignity of yourself and others in relationships. Build trust, loyalty, and responsibility rather than using people for personal gratification.
- 13
Humility
Remain teachable. Recognize that no person has a monopoly on truth. Lead with curiosity, gratitude, and a willingness to learn.
Part II
Washington — Civic Character
How You Treat Others
Washington’s Rules of Civility were never merely about etiquette. They were about living among others with respect, dignity, restraint, and consideration. A healthy republic requires citizens who can disagree without hatred, compete without cruelty, and exercise freedom without abandoning respect for others. On this platform, that is the standard for every exchange — every comment, every profile, every disagreement.
- 1
Respect
Treat every person with dignity regardless of status, wealth, education, background, or political belief. Respect is not agreement. It is recognizing the inherent worth of others.
- 2
Attentiveness
Give others your full attention when they speak. Listen to understand rather than merely waiting for your turn to respond.
- 3
Courtesy
Practice kindness in your words, actions, and daily interactions. Small acts of consideration often have a greater impact than grand gestures.
- 4
Truthfulness
Speak honestly and verify information before sharing it. Resist the temptation to spread rumors, exaggerations, or half-truths.
- 5
Fairness
Judge others by consistent standards. Avoid favoritism, prejudice, and double standards in your personal and professional relationships.
- 6
Compassion
Show empathy toward those who are suffering, struggling, or facing adversity. Never take pleasure in another person’s misfortune.
- 7
Discretion
Know when to speak and when to remain silent. Respect confidences, protect private information, and avoid unnecessary public criticism.
- 8
Reliability
Be dependable. Keep your promises, honor your commitments, and become someone others can trust when it matters most.
- 9
Civility
Disagree without hostility. Seek understanding before judgment and strive to elevate conversations rather than inflame them.
- 10
Hospitality
Make others feel welcome, included, and valued. Create environments where people feel respected and comfortable participating.
- 11
Patience
Allow others the time to learn, explain, grow, and make mistakes. Resist the urge to demand immediate results or instant agreement.
- 12
Empathy
Seek to understand the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of others. Genuine understanding strengthens relationships and communities.
- 13
Gratitude
Recognize the contributions of others and express appreciation freely. Gratitude cultivates humility and strengthens social bonds.
- 14
Reconciliation
Work to repair damaged relationships and reduce unnecessary conflict. Seek solutions that restore trust whenever possible.
- 15
Community Spirit
Understand that your actions affect those around you. Contribute to the well-being of your family, community, and society.
Part III
Washington — Leadership Character
How You Exercise Authority
Throughout his life, George Washington demonstrated a rare understanding of power. He consistently placed duty above ambition, service above status, and country above self-interest. He understood that leadership was not a privilege to be enjoyed but a responsibility to be honored. The greatest test of character is not how we behave when we have little power — it is how we behave when we possess it.
- 1
Integrity
Act consistently with your values and principles, even when doing so is difficult or unpopular. Trust is built when words and actions align.
- 2
Service
View leadership as an opportunity to serve rather than a means to acquire status, wealth, or power. Leadership begins with responsibility.
- 3
Humility
Recognize that leadership does not make you superior to others. Remain teachable, approachable, and willing to admit mistakes.
- 4
Courage
Make difficult decisions when necessary and stand for what is right, even when doing so carries personal or political risk.
- 5
Prudence
Think carefully before acting. Consider long-term consequences rather than pursuing short-term popularity or immediate gratification.
- 6
Accountability
Accept responsibility for your decisions and their outcomes. Do not shift blame when things go wrong or claim all credit when things go right.
- 7
Reliability
Follow through on commitments and responsibilities. Effective leaders earn confidence through consistency and dependability.
- 8
Self-Control
Manage your emotions, impulses, and reactions. Leaders who cannot govern themselves cannot effectively govern anything else.
- 9
Respect for Others
Treat subordinates, colleagues, opponents, and constituents with dignity. Leadership does not excuse arrogance or contempt.
- 10
Independence of Judgment
Think critically and make decisions based upon principle and evidence rather than pressure, popularity, or groupthink.
- 11
Fairness
Apply rules consistently and impartially. Seek justice rather than favoritism and principle rather than convenience.
- 12
Stewardship
Care for the institutions, resources, and responsibilities entrusted to you. Leave them stronger than you found them.
- 13
Decisiveness
Gather information, seek counsel, and then act. Effective leadership requires the ability to make timely decisions when circumstances demand it.
- 14
Example
Recognize that people learn more from what leaders do than from what they say. Model the behavior you expect from others.
- 15
Conscience
Maintain a moral compass that guides your decisions. Never sacrifice what is right for what is expedient, profitable, or politically advantageous.
The Logic of a Republic
This framework follows the same progression the Founders believed was necessary for a free society to survive. First, we learn to govern ourselves. Then, we learn to live and work with others. Finally, we learn to exercise authority responsibly.
Character is the foundation of citizenship.
Citizenship is the foundation of self-government.
And self-government is the foundation of a republic.