quotations about courtesy
One of the faults of our day is a great lack of courtesy. Brusqueness is too frequently considered to be directness. It is excused and condoned because of lack of time or of being busy. It is considered efficient to come straight to the point ... [but] directness does not justify harshness, nor a boorish manner.
EDWARD M. MATTHEWS
The Collected Works of Edward M. Matthews
About the only thing ever lost by politeness is a seat on a crowded bus.
EVAN ESAR
20,000 Quips & Quotes
Courtesy is a waste of time, it weakens you and undermines you.
YASMINA REZA
The God of Carnage
A churlish courtesy rarely comes but either for gain or falsehood.
PHILLIP SIDNEY
attributed, Day's Collacon
The greater man the greater courtesy.
ALFRED TENNYSON
The Last Tournament
Show respect and some courtesy
You gotta give yours to receive
THIRD WORLD
"Manners"
While there is nothing wrong with being ambitious, you will get along better if you temper your ambition with courtesy. It is important that other people like you for you to get ahead, and being courteous is one of the best ways to make others like you.
MARJABELLE YOUNG STEWART
The New Etiquette: Real Manners for Real People in Real Situations
Courtesy is contagious--let's start an epidemic.
EVAN ESAR
20,000 Quips & Quotes
Beauty without courtesy is like a grove without flowers.
ASVAGHOSA
Acts of the Buddha
Courtesy is not learned by instinct. Like the other components of respect, courtesy has to be taught and modeled.
BRIAN APOLLO
How to Value Your Sons
Suit your manners to the man.
LATIN PROVERB
I'll try a pagan friend, thought I, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy.
HERMAN MELVILLE
Moby Dick
Cap in hand never did anyone harm.
ITALIAN PROVERB
Politeness smooths wrinkles.
JOUBERT
Pensées
He who is not polite enough is not human enough.
JOUBERT
Pensées
As a tree is known by its fruits, the gold by the touch, and the bell by the sound, so is a man's birth by his benevolence, his honor by his humility, and his calling by his courtesy; as the bag straineth the lute-strings, so courtesy stretcheth the heart-strings.
DANIEL CAWDRAY
attributed, Day's Collacon
Lady Courtesy shall be hosteller, who shall graciously recieve those coming and going, so that everyone may speak well of her. And for as much as none should be on her own among the guests, for it might happen that Lady Courtesy would be too forward and too rash, she shall have Lady Innocence as her companion. For these two allied together in fellowship are secure and fitting, since one without the other is sometimes worth little, for too much innocence may result in too much simplicity or too little, and too much courtesy may result in too agreeable appearance, either too happy or too forward to gratify the guests. But together they may fairly, well and without blame do their duties.
ROBERT NORMAN SWANSON
Catholic England: Faith, Religion, and Observance Before the Reformation
Life is short, but there is always time for courtesy.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
Uncollected Lectures
A habit of courtesy is like a delicate wrapping which prevents one personality from rubbing and chafing against another; and it thus prevents much of the friction and irritation of life.
C.C. EVERETT
Social Progress
Courtesy is fundamental: sometimes it keeps at bay even snarling people.
FAUSTO CERCIGNANI
attributed, Simply Transcribed