Good-breeding shows itself most where to an ordinary eye it appears the least.
In our interactions with people, a benevolent hypocrisy is frequently required--acting as though we do not see through the motivesof their actions.
A well-bred man is always sociable and complaisant.
Grace imitates modesty, as politeness imitates kindness.
Good manners spring from just one thing - kind impulses.
The gentle mind by gentle deeds is known, For a man by nothing is so well betrayed As by his manners.
Manners are the happy ways of doing things; each once a stroke of genius or of love, now repeated and hardened into usage.
True politeness is perfect ease and freedom. It simply consists in treating others just as you love to be treated yourself.
Manners are the happy ways of doing things; each one a stroke of genius or of love, now repeated and hardened into usage, they form at last a rich varnish, with which the routine of life is washed, and its details adorned. If they are superficial, so are the dew-drops which give such a depth to the morning meadows.
Gentleness is an active trait, describing the manner in which we should treat others. Meekness is a passive trait, describing the proper Christian response when others mistreat us.
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 finest manners in the world are awkwardness and fatuity when contrasted with a finer intelligence. They appear but as the fashions of past days,--mere courtliness, knee-buckles and small- clothes, out of date.
Good manners and soft words have brought many a difficult thing to pass.
A refined simplicity is the characteristic of all high bred deportment, in every country, and a considerate humanity should be the aim of all beneath it.
