Politeness Quotes

Diplomacy is the lowest form of politeness because it misquotes the greatest number of people. A nation, like an individual, if it has anything to say, should simply say it.

They [the English] have a special word, "civil," for what is elsewhere merely ordinary politeness.

When good friends praise a gifted person he often appears to be delighted with them out of politeness and goodwill, but in reality he feels indifferent.

There is nothing costs less than civility.

The only option is politeness-remember always that you are dealing with other primates.

Lively, intelligent, and quite immature, [Emily] usually burst out with exactly the comment that summed up the situation beautifully and therefore could never in politeness be said.

When I act tough they listen politely till the spasm passes. They know.

There is not a single outward mark of courtesy that does not have a deep moral basis.

In the actual state of social relationships, the forms ("formes", Fr.) of politeness are necessary as a subsitute to benevolence.

Amazing what the British do with language; the nuances of politeness. The world's great diplomats, surely.

Politeness costs little and yields much.

During a long and varied career as a bachelor, dear spouse [mock platform manner], I have noticed that marriage is usually the death of politeness between a man and a woman.

Politeness is sometimes a great tax upon sincerity.

Nothing is more favorable to the rise of politeness and learning, than a number of neighboring and independent states, connected together by commerce and policy.

There is no policy like politeness; and a good manner is the best thing in the world either to get a good name, or to supply the want of it.

As in smooth oil the razor best is whet, So wit is by politeness sharpest set; Their want of edge from their offence is seen, Both pain us least when exquisitely keen.

Politeness of mind consists in thinking chaste and refined thoughts.

That roguish and cheerful vice, politeness.

Nobody thanks a witty man for politeness when he puts himself on a par with a society in which it would not be polite to show one's wit.

The politeness was painful. I wanted to push through it, to return to the glow of the night of the concert, but I was unsure of how to get back there.

He was the soul of politeness to everyone -- to some with a hint of aversion, to others with a hint of respect.

His cold politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.

The ultimate politeness in art consists of speaking only to those who are able to uncover and measure its relationships. Anything else is symbolic, and symbolism is merely transcendental imagery.

The very essence of politeness seems to be to take care that by our words and actions we make other people pleased with us as well as with themselves.

Old men when they begin to hear the last trumpet, on the morning breeze, often have a kind of absent-minded smile; like people listening. And their smiles are just politeness.

When politeness is used to show up other people, it is reclassified as rudeness. Thus it is technically impossible to be too polite.

Home is the place where true politeness tells.

Politeness, however, acts the lady's maid to our thoughts; and they are washed, dressed, curled, rouged, and perfumed, before they are presented to the public.

The company of women of fashion will improve your manners, though not your understanding; and that complaisance and politeness, which are so useful in men's company, can only be acquired in women's.

True politeness is perfect ease and freedom. It simply consists in treating others just as you love to be treated yourself.

Nothing is more dissimilar than natural and acquired politeness. The first consists in a willing abnegation of self; the second in a compelled recollection of others.

The sight of the bare katana inspires everyone to a practically Nipponese level of politeness

I come from people who have always been polite enough to feel that nothing has ever happened to them.

Our morality seems to be only a check on the ultimate domination of force, just as our politeness is a check on the impulse of every pig to put his feet in the trough.

I don't suffer from an abundance of politeness.

Politeness goes far, yet costs nothing.

Funny how a little politeness can change people's minds.

Politeness has been defined to be artificial good-nature; but we may affirm, with much greater propriety, that good-nature is natural politeness.

I'm absolute attacking my own instinct for politeness, but I think I admire artists who just speak out or who are strong, so it's very hard.

Politeness costs nothing. Nothing, that is, to him that shows it; but if often costs the world very dear.

Don’t you bully me with your politeness!

There is a certain amount of politeness here in America, which is probably more than just politeness.

Can he love her? Can the soul really be satisfied with such polite affections? To love is to burn - to be on fire, like Juliet or Guinevere or Eloise...

Have you shat, my child, I said gently.

I am going to the USA to catch sight of a wild porcupine and to give some lectures.

Never speak of a man in his own presence. It is always indelicate and may be offensive .

The opposite of talking is not listening. The opposite of talking is waiting.

(Politeness is) a tacit agreement that people's miserable defects whether moral or intellectual shall on either side be ignored and not be made the subject of reproach.

There is always a best way of doing everything if it be only to boil an egg. Manners are the happy ways of doing things.

A true gentlemen is one who is never unintentionally rude.