quotations about manners
Clothes and manners do not make the man; but, when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.
HENRY WARD BEECHER
Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit
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
The essence of good manners consists in making it clear that one has no wish to hurt. When it is clearly necessary to hurt, it must be done in such a way as to make it evident that the necessity is felt to be regrettable.
BERTRAND RUSSELL
Mortals and Others
I am always saying "Glad to've met you" to somebody I'm not at all glad I met. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though.
J. D. SALINGER
The Catcher in the Rye
Good manners can be the authentic gestures of a good person but they can also be the deceptions of a deceitful one.
JASON W. BROWN
Process and the Authentic Life
While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice our local destination. But should the people of America once become capable of that deep simulation towards one another, and towards foreign nations, which assumes the language of justice and moderation, while it is practising iniquity and extravagance, and displays in the most captivating manner the charming pictures of candour, frankness, and sincerity, while it is rioting in rapine and insolence, this country will be the most miserable habitation in the world.
JOHN ADAMS
Thoughts on Government Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies
I was raised right--I talk about people behind their backs. It's called manners.
KATHY GRIFFIN
stand-up routine
Table manners are a skill that once mastered last a lifetime, and will take you from the picnic table to White House receptions (should you be invited).
KATE SPADE
Manners
Etiquette ... means behaving yourself a little better than is absolutely essential.
WILL CUPPY
How to Be a Hermit
Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.
EMILY POST
attributed, Hey! Let's Talk It Over!
Fine manners are intelligible to all mankind, and a passport to every country.
MRS. SIGOURNEY
attributed, Day's Collacon
Good manners are like a beautiful painting that makes people feel good when they are around it. Bad manners are like a dirty rag that no one wants to look at or touch.
J. R. PARRISH
You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making It in the Real World
Striking manners are bad manners.
ROBERT HALL
"Conversational Remarks", The Works of Robert Hall
Manners very easily and rapidly mature into morals.
HORACE MANN
Thoughts
Courtly manners are contagious; they are caught at Versailles.
JEAN DE LA BRUYÈRE
"Of the Court", Les Caractères
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
A hat should be taken off when greeting a lady, and left off the rest of your life. Nothing looks more stupid than a hat.
P. J. O'ROURKE
Modern Manners: An Etiquette Book for Rude People
Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues
We write in water.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Henry VIII
It is never too late to learn the way to good manners.
SENECA
attributed, Day's Collacon
Manners consist in pretending that we think as well of others as of ourselves.
BERTRAND RUSSELL
Mortals and Others