Courtesy Quotes - Page 16

• I have a friend, physically magnificent, who combines within himself the intellect of a philosopher, the diplomacy of a statesman, the executive ability of the general of an army, the courtesy of a Chesterfield - and the emotions of a rabbit.

  Myrtle Reed

  Army, Personality, Rabbits

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• How easy it is for generous sentiments, high courtesy, and chivalrous courage to lose their influence beneath the chilling blight of selfishness, and to exhibit to the world a man who was great in all the minor attributes of character, but who was found wanting when it became necessary to prove how much principle is superior to policy.

  James F. Cooper

  Character, Men, Selfishness

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• O, when the heart is, full, when bitter thoughts come crowding thickly up for utterance, and the poor common words of courtesy are such a very mockery, how much the bursting heart may pour itself in prayer!

  Nathaniel Parker Willis

  Prayer, Heart, Utterance

  Nathaniel Parker Willis, Henry Llewellyn Williams (1832). “Poems of Nathaniel Parker Willis ...”, p.36

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• To bring the best human qualities to anything like perfection, to fill them with the sweet juices of courtesy and charity, prosperity, or, at all events, a moderate amount of it, is required,--just as sunshine is needed for the ripening of peaches and apricots.

  Alexander Smith

  Sweet, Sunshine, Perfection

  Alexander Smith (1866). “Miss Oona McQuarrie: A sequel to Alfred Hagart's household”, p.116

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• In thy discourse, if thou desire to please;
  All such is courteous, useful, new, or wittie:
  Usefulness comes by labour, wit byease;
  Courtesie grows in court; news in the citie.

  George Herbert

  Desire, News, Wit

  George Herbert (1861). “The Poetical Works of G. H. and R. Heber. With Memoir”, p.9

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• War, even in the best state of an army, with all the alleviations of courtesy and honor, with all the correctives of morality and religion, is nevertheless so great an evil, that to engage in it without a clear necessity is a crime of the blackest dye. When the necessity is clear, it then becomes a crime to shrink from it.

  Robert Southey

  War, Army, Evil

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• A thankful man owes a courtesy ever; the unthankful but when he needs it.

  Ben Jonson

  Gratitude, Men, Needs

  Ben Jonson (1995). “Poetaster”, p.62, Manchester University Press

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• Curiosity in Rome is a form of courtesy.

  Elizabeth Bowen

  Rome, Curiosity, Form

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• The only occasion when the traditions of courtesy permit a hostess to help herself before a woman guest is when she has reason to believe the food is poisoned.

  Emily Post

  Believe, Guests, Helping

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• Custom is a mutable thing; yet we readily recognize the permanence of certain social values. Graciousness and courtesy are never old-fashioned.

  Emily Post

  Social Values, Manners, Certain

  Emily Post (1960). “Etiquette: the blue book of social usage”

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• perhaps there is something more than courtesy behind the dissembling reticence of childhood. ... Most artists dislike having their incomplete work considered and discussed and this analogy, I think, is valid. The child is incomplete, too, and is constantly experimenting as he seeks his own style of thought and feeling.

  Dervla Murphy

  Children, Thinking, Artist

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• Courtesy is fine and heaven knows we need more and more of it in a rude and frenetic world, but mechanized courtesy is as pallid as Pablum ... in fact, it isn't even courtesy.

  Cornelia Otis Skinner

  Rude, Heaven, Facts

  Cornelia Otis Skinner (1959). “The Ape in Me”

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• Gratitude is a sign of maturity...Where there is appreciation: there is also courtesy and concern for the rights and property of others.

  Gordon B. Hinckley

  Gratitude, Appreciation, Maturity

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• Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none. Beatrice: A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me. -Much Ado About Nothing

  William Shakespeare

  Dog, Heart, Men

  William Shakespeare (2005). “William Shakespeare: The Complete Works”, p.2906, OUP Oxford

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• Courtesy will be in my heart to give to all.

  Walter Russell

  Heart, Giving, Secret

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• Lobbying' is the activity of attempting to influence legislation by privately influencing the legislators. It is the result and creation of a mixed economy-of government by pressure groups. Its methods range from mere social courtesies and cocktail-party or luncheon "friendships" to favors, threats, bribes, blackmail.

  Ayn Rand

  Party, Government, Pressure Groups

  Ayn Rand (1990). “The Voice of Reason: Essays in Objectivist Thought”, p.241, Penguin

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• You owe the companies nothing. You especially don't owe them any courtesy. They have re-arranged the world to put themselves in front of you. They never asked for your permission, don't even start asking for theirs.

  Banksy

  Business, Asking, World

  Banksy (2005). “Banksy: wall and piece”, Random House UK

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• Courtesy towards opponents and eagerness to understand their view-point is the ABC of non-violence.

  Mahatma Gandhi

  Views, Opponents, Violence

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• Grant others the same rights as you claim for yourself.

  Robert Green Ingersoll

  Compassion, Rights, Claims

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• Our obligation to others and a gift to ourselves is to acknowledge and authentically express genuine appreciation for courtesies, caring and concern others have given us.

  Michael Josephson

  Gratitude, Appreciation, Caring

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• Authentic gratitude is much more rare and precious than expressions of gratitude which are often empty courtesies or simply tactical ploys to encourage further gifts or kindnesses.

  Michael Josephson

  Gratitude, Kindness, Expression

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• I did a little bit of cocaine in the Eighties, courtesy of John Belushi, but fortunately I didn’t like it. But I smoked marijuana for 50 years and I don’t know where I’d be without it. It opened my mind and now it eases my arthritis. After decades of research I’ve concluded that marijuana should be legal and alcohol illegal.

  James Garner

  Marijuana, Years, Alcohol

  "Biography/Personal Quotes". www.imdb.com.

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• Guide the people by law, subdue them by punishment; they may shun crime, but will be void of shame. Guide them by example, subdue them by courtesy; they will learn shame, and come to be good.

  Confucius

  Law, Punishment, People

  Confucius (1909). “The Sayings of Confucius”

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• Fie, thou dishonest Satan! I call thee by the most modest terms; for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil himself with courtesy: sayest thou that house is dark?

  William Shakespeare

  Dark, House, Devil

  William Shakespeare (2010). “Twelfth Night”, p.79, Palgrave Macmillan

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• Gandhiji would always offer full details of his plans and movements to the police, thereby saving them a great deal of trouble. One police inspector who availed himself of Gandhi's courtesy in this matter is said to have been severely reprimanded by his chief. 'Don't you know,' he told the inspector, 'that everyone who comes into close contact with that man goes over to his side?'

  Reginald Reynolds

  Peace, Men, Police

  Reginald Reynolds (1952). “A Quest for Gandhi”

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