The Art of Manliness blog has a good article today that’s just a list of “Unclassified Laws of Etiquette,” from a very, very old etiquette book. Here are a few of the best ones on the list:

• Never fail to tell the truth. If truthful, you get your reward. You will get your punishment if you deceive. (Proverbs 11:3)
• Never borrow money and neglect to pay. If you do, you will soon be known as a person of no business integrity. (Proverbs 6:1-5)
• Never fail to say kind and encouraging words to those whom you meet in distress. Your kindness may lift them out of their despair. (Proverbs 19:17)
• Never refuse to receive an apology. You may not receive friendship, but courtesy will require, when a apology is offered, that you accept it. (Matthew 18:21-22)
• Never give all your pleasant words and smile to strangers. The kindest words and the sweetest smiles should be reserved for home. Home should be our heaven. (I Peter 3:7)

Etiquette can be ridiculous when it moves beyond common sense and courtesy, but rules like these are a great application of Christian life and being a real man.