Robert A Heinlein - Confucius - Louis XVIII - John Betjeman - Lady Mary Wortley Montagu - Richard Brinsley Sheriday - Charles Dickens - John James Audubon - Edwin Land - Paul Valery - Arthur Schopenhauer - Josh Billings -
A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot. Robert A Heinlein, Friday
Let a man be stimulated by poetry, established by the rules of propriety, and perfected by music. Confucius 551-479 B.C.
Punctuality is the politeness of kings. Louis XVIII
Phone for the fish knives, Norman
As Cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.
Are the requisites all in the toilet?
The frills round the cutlets can wait
Till the girl has replenished the cruets
And switched on the logs on the grate.
It’s ever so close in the lounge, dear,
But the vestibule’s comfy for tea,
And Howard is out riding on horseback
So do come and take some with me.
Now here is a fork for your pastries
And do use the couch for your feet;
I know what I wanted to ask you –
Is the trifle sufficient for sweet?
Milk and then just as it comes, dear?
I’m afraid the preserve’s full of stones;
Beg pardon, I’m soiling the doyleys
With afternoon tea-cakes and scones. John Betjeman, How to Get on in Society
Civility costs nothing and buys everything. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, letter 30th May 1756
He is the very pineapple of politeness! Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Rivals
If the Day of Judgment had only been ascertained to be a dress day, everybody there would have been eternally correct. Such frizzling and powdering and sticking up of hair, such delicate complexions artificially preserved and mended, such gallant swords to look at, and such delicate honour to the sense of smell, would surely keep anything going, for ever and ever. Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities p90
Great men show politeness in a particular way; a smile suffices to assure you that you are welcome, and keep about their avocations as if you were a member of the family. John James Audubon
Politeness is the poison of collaboration. Edwin Land
Politeness is organized indifference. Paul Valery
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
One of the greatest victories you can gain over someone is to beat him at politeness. Josh Billings