101 Virtues to apply to your life, Number Sixty

  

Let’s explore the book of virtues that George Washington copied at 14 and followed throughout his life. These virtues are based on Aristotle's writings but have been enhanced over the centuries. We can translate them into modern language and find practical ways to apply them.

Number Sixty

Be not immodest in urging your Friends to Discover a Secret.

This virtue means: "Don’t push your friends too hard to spill their secrets." In modern terms, it’s about respecting people’s boundaries and not being overly nosy or insistent when someone isn’t ready to open up. It’s a call for patience, tact, and sensitivity in relationships.

Practically applying this today could look like this: Imagine a friend seems off but isn’t volunteering. Why? Instead of prying with a barrage of questions like, “What’s wrong? Come on, tell me everything!” you might say, “Hey, I’m here if you want to talk,” and leave it at that. Or, if someone hints at a personal struggle but clams up, you don’t dig deeper unless they invite it. It’s about giving them space to share on their terms, not yours, whether a casual chat over coffee or a late-night text thread. This builds trust, keeps things chill, and avoids that awkward vibe where someone feels cornered.