I thought there were supposed to be civilized rules of discourse and conduct.

They observe civilized rules, like "Silver fish whose life we take / Only for a meal to make."

More it was fostered by the threat that he recognized to an entire society and its civilized rule of law.

Boogers could not be punished, for they were strangers who did not know the civilized rules.

The civilized rule was that prohibited areas were marked both tele-pathically and with symbols.

They will manipulate civilized rules for uncivilized ends.

His code was that of the warrior, who had to live by civilized rules.

"Surely, if men see that we women cannot abide by civilized rules of behavior, they will turn all the more quickly against us?"

Such civilized rules govern the actions of men and officers at war, but this is not war.

Though the impending war is never mentioned, Renoir creates a portrait of a society clinging desperately to its civilized rules and nearly collapsing into chaos nonetheless.