Jackson began keeping his book of maxims in 1848. He polished and gave attention to them while on the faculty at VMI in the early 1850s.

The original book is held at Tulane University.

“The maxims–Jackson’s self-selected principles of personal conduct and self-improvement–are brief and to the point. They were recorded by the general in a small blue-marbled notebook over a five-year period, starting in 1848, and are largely drawn from the collective practical and philosophical teachings of others who influenced Jackson’s life, including Lord Chesterfield, John Bunyan, Joel Parker, O. S. Foster, George Winfred Hervey, and, most significantly to Jackson, the Bible.”

He was not the original author of most of the sayings. Instead, he compiled them and organized them according to to three major headings. The first was accumulating friends.  The second heading related to social conversation.

1. Ascertain in your conversation as well as you can wherein the skill & excellence of the individual lies & put him upon his favorite subject. Every person will of his own accordfall to talking on his favorite subject or topic if you will follow and not attempt to lead him.

2. If you seek to improve inthe greatest degree from the conversation of another, allow him to take his own course. If called upon, converse iin turn upon your favorite topic.

3. Never interrupt another but hear him out.  There are certain individuals from whom little information is to be desired such as use [of] wanton, oscene or profane language.

4. If you speak in company, speak late.

5. Let your words be as few as will express the sense you wish to convey & above all let what you say be true.

6. Do not suffer your feelings to betray you into much vehemence or earnestness or to being overbearing.

7. Avoid triumphing over an antagonist.

8. Never engross the whole conversation to yourself.

9. Sit or stand while another is speaking to you - [do' not dig in the earth with your foot nor take your knife from your pocket & pare your nales nor other such actions.

10. Never anticipate for another to help him out. It is time enough for you to make corrections after he has concluded, if any are necessary. It is impolite to interrupt another in his remarks.

11. Say as little of yourself & friends as possible.

12. Make it a rule never to accuse without due consideration any body of association  of men.

13. Never try to appear more wise or learned than the rest of the company. Not that you should affect ignorance, but endeavor to remain in you rown proper sphere. Let ease & gracefulness be the standard by which you form your estimation (taken from etiquett).

List source in Robertson, Stonewall Jackson, [1997: 154ff.] .

Stonewall Jackson’s Book of Maxims
By James I. Robertson