The Words We Live By Book

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

Ready-made opinions in American culture

PART ONE: THE WORDS

1. Do Unto Others

Words of Respect: The Evolution of the Golden Rule

2. We Hold These Truths

Words of Belief and Conviction: Creeds and Other Professions of Faith

3. So Help Me God

Words of Obedience: Loyalty Oaths and Pledges of Allegiance

4. 'Til Death Do Us Part

Words of Consent: Oaths of Citizenship, Rites of Secret Initiation, Temperance Pledges, and Wedding Vows

5. On My Honor I Will Do My Best

Words of Good Intent: Codes of Ethics and Conduct

6. To Thine Own Self Be True

Words of Experience: The Secrets of Success, Advice from Parents, and the Gospel According to Murphy, Parkinson, and Others

7. Semper Fi

Fighting Words: Mottoes, Maxims, and Slogans

8. In God We Trust

Words of Common Currency: The National Mottoes

9. Neither Snow Nor Rain Nor Heat Nor Gloom of Night

Words Set in Stone: Architectural Inscriptions of the American Renaissance

PART TWO: THE TEXTS

Golden Rules

Creeds

Oaths, Vows, and Pledges

Codes of Ethics and Conduct

Advice and Rules of Life

Mottoes, Maxims, and Slogans

Inscriptions

Sources, Notes, and Comments

Acknowledgments

Index