quotations about politeness
Politeness is one of the basic socio-psychological guidelines for human behaviour. As such, it is an integral part of all human interaction.
JULIANE HOUSE
"Politeness in Germany", Politeness in Europe
When affection fell on its ass, politeness could step up.
LORRIE MOORE
Bark: Stories
True politeness is a virtue of the understanding and of the heart.
JOHN S. C. ABBOTT
"True Politeness", The Christian Parlor Magazine, 1855
Politeness is ... good nature regulated by good sense.
SYDNEY SMITH
A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
It is because gold is rare that gilding has been invented, which without having its solidity has all its brilliancy; thus to replace the kindness we lack, we have devised politeness which has all its appearance.
PIERRE MARC GASTON LEVIS
attributed, Day's Collacon
In politeness, as in many other things connected with the formation of character, people in general begin outside, when they should begin inside; instead of beginning with the heart, and trusting that to form the manners, they begin with the manners, and trust the heart to chance influences. The golden rule contains the very life and soul of politeness.
LYDIA MARIA CHILD
The Mother's Book
Politeness only teaches us to save others from unnecessary pain.... You are not bound by politeness to tell any falsehoods.
MARIA EDGEWORTH
The Flowerpot
Politeness is nothing more than an elegant and concealed species of flattery, tending to put the person to whom it is addressed in good humor and respect with himself.
RICHARD CUMBERLAND
The Observer: A Collection of Essays
The boldness of his mind was sheathed in a scabbard of politeness.
DUMAS MALONE
Jefferson the Virginian
Because politeness is part of the common behavioural heritage of humanity, it is culturally as diverse as the human race is.
DANIEL Z. KADAR & FRANCESCA BARGIELA-CHIAPPINI
Politeness Across Cultures
Being polite is, by itself, not a form of hypocrisy. It is not an empty formalism unless you choose to make it so.
ANDRE DEKKER
Big Pieces of Time
Nobody loses anything by being polite, but there are a lot of people who are afraid to take the risk.
EVAN ESAR
20,000 Quips & Quotes
Politeness is a mixture of discretion, complaisance, and circumspection, spread over all we do and say.
ST. EVREMOND
attributed, Day's Collacon
Politeness has been well defined as benevolence in small things.
THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY
Essays, Critical and Miscellaneous
When one is polite in German, one lies.
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
Faust: Part II
It is a wise thing to be polite; consequently, it is a stupid thing to be rude. To make enemies by unnecessary and willful incivility is just as insane a proceeding as to set your house on fire. For politeness is like a counter--an avowedly false coin, with which it is foolish to be stingy.
ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER
The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims
Politeness is too often but a perfidious generosity, which leaves the heart cold, and the prejudices untouched.
OLIVER HEYWOOD
attributed, Day's Collacon
So it's nice to be nice, but enough with the pathological politeness. If something doesn't sit well with you, the hell with it. Stop pretending that your same-sex lover is just your roommate. Inform your boss that picking up dry cleaning isn't part of the job. Tell your guru that actually you hate classical music and want to be an engineer. Tell your in-laws that you don't do children or cooking, though you might enjoy cooking some children. Tell the annoying suitor that you're filing a restraining order. Do not say "I love you too" unless you mean it.
MITALI SARAN
"The pathology of politeness", Business Standard, April 22, 2016
All politeness is owing to liberty; we polish one another, and rub off our corners and rough sides by a sort of amicable collision.
ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER SHAFTESBURY
Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times
Politeness is something you owe other people, because when you show a little courtesy, everything becomes easier and better. But first and foremost, it's something you owe yourself.
ANNE HOLM
I Am David