Honore de Balzac Quotes

Modesty and unselfishness - these are the virtues which men praise - and pass by.

In my book, all manners are is thinking of somebody else.

I live by the code 'Kill them with kindness, blood everywhere;' for me, it's always about being the nicest kind of guy.

Kindness is always fashionable, and always welcome.

The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him.

Our world is drowning in a sea of self-centeredness. You can make yourself quite unique right away by leaving this ocean of selfishness and choosing to be curious about other people.

It is kindness to immediately refuse what you intend to deny.

Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous - not just to some people in some circumstances - but to everyone all the time.

Manners are nothing more than thinking about somebody else.

I open the doors for everybody all the time.

Good breeding is the result of good sense, some good nature, and a little self-denial for the sake of others.

The poison of selfishness destroys the world.

I'm not too selfish or unselfish.

There can be no defence like elaborate courtesy.

The only true source of politeness is consideration.

It is almost the definition of a gentleman to say that he is one who never inflicts pain.

Courtesies cannot be borrowed like snow shovels; you must have some of your own.

But my father was also the one who told me I needed to clean up my mouth or I'd never find a man. What's very important to him is manners. Show up on time. Always send thank-you letters. He is one of the more thoughtful humans I've ever met. He's a great man and a very good dad.

I'm not the kind of guy who will pass someone without saying hello. If that's flaky, then I guess I'm flaky.

Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.

Self-sacrifice enables us to sacrifice other people without blushing.

We are so happy to advise others that occasionally we even do it in their interest.

Obviously I'm going to be polite, so nobody has anything to fear from me.

How someone treats a waiter or doorman can tell you so much about a person.

Politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in business. Large stores, gilt signs, flaming advertisements, will all prove unavailing if you or your employees treat your patrons abruptly. The truth is, the more kind and liberal a man is, the more generous will be the patronage bestowed upon him.