quotations about manners
Emperors and rich men are by no means the most skillful masters of good manners. No rent roll nor army-list can dignify skulking and dissimulations: and the first point of courtesy must always be truth, as really all forms of good-breeding point that way.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
"Manners", Essays
If we strive to become, then, what we strive to appear, manners may often be rendered useful guides to the performance of our duties.
SYDNEY SMITH
Sermons
It's always galling to be taught good manners by an enemy.
K. J. PARKER
Devices and Desires
Manners are of more importance than laws. The law can touch us here and there, now and then. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation like that of the air we breathe in.
EDMUND BURKE
Letters On a Regicide Peace
There ought to be system of manners in every nation which a well-formed mind would be disposed to relish. To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.
EDMUND BURKE
Reflections on the Revolution in France
If refinement does not lead directly to purity of manners, it obviates at least their greatest depravation.
SIR J. REYNOLDS
attributed, Day's Collacon
Observe others manners and correct thy own.
CONRAD II
attributed, Day's Collacon
Good manners are buffers between egos; they are the ways of civilized people.
JOHN B. STEWART
Opinion and Reform in Hume's Political Philosophy
Manners are guideposts for behavior that serve as helpful road signs on the path of human interaction.
JUNE EDING
Manners That Matter Most
Air and manners are more expressive than words.
S. RICHARDSON
attributed, Day's Collacon
Art polishes man, and manners distinguish him from the brute creation.
OVID
attributed, Day's Collacon
Bad manners are the fruits of a coarse nature and unwise training.
CLARA JESSUP MOORE
Sensible Etiquette of the Best Society
Should we distrust [a] man because his manners are not our manners?
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
The Last of the Mohicans
There is no outward mark of politeness that does not have a profound moral reason. The right education would be that which taught the outward mark and the moral reason together.
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
Elective Affinities
You only had to choose which me to talk to, for, you know, we all change our manners, depending on who has come to chat.
CATHERYNNE M. VALENTE
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There
That makes the good and bad of manners, namely, what helps or hinders fellowship.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
"Manners", Essays
The importance of manners, my mother always said, is inversely related to how inclined one is to use them.
NICOLE KRAUSS
Great House
Whoever in a state knows how to form wisely the manners and men and to rule them at home and in war, by excellent institutions, him in the first place above all others I should esteem worthy of honor.
AMOS BRONSON ALCOTT
Tablets
Good manners do more for a man that good looks.
EDGAR WATSON HOWE
Country Town Sayings
A man's own manner and character is what best becomes him.
CICERO
attributed, Day's Collacon