Epictetus Quotes

Talk often, but never long; in that case, if you do not please, at least you are sure not to tire your hearers. Pay your own reckoning, but do not treat the whole company; this being one of the few cases in which people do not care to be treated, every one being fully convinced that he has wherewithal to pay.

In proceeding to the dining-room, the gentleman gives one arm to the lady he escorts--it is unusual to offer both.

Fashionably amusing table manners are a matter of breaking the right rule at the right time.

It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples.

I was expected to sit at the table, learn how to eat properly.

The Australian Book of Etiquette is a very slim volume.

To dismiss a guest is a more ungracious act than not to admit him at all.

Now, it is well known, that a man may with more impunity be guilty of an actual breach either of real good breeding or of good morals, than appear ignorant of the most minute point of fashionable etiquette.

Basil Stag Hare tut-tutted severely as he remarked to Ambrose Spike, 'Tch, tch. Dreadful table manners. Just look at those three wallahs, kicking up a hullaballoo like that! Eating's a serious business.

The etiquette question that troubles so many fastidious people New Year's Day is: How am I ever going to face those people again?

People who stare deserve the looks they get.

A civil guest Will no more talk all, than eat all the feast.

A gentleman does not appear to know more or to be more than those with whom he is thrown into company.

Never laughing too loudly in a restaurant no matter how good the joke.

I think the sort of person you want at a party is someone who is self-aware, polite and has a basic knowledge of table manners. And that goes for both men and women.

The best way to learn to be a lady is to see how other ladies do it.

Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.

Elbows are never put on the table while one is eating.

As a general rule, do not kick the shins of the opposite gentleman under the table, if personally unaquainted with him; your pleasantry is liable to be misunderstood--a circumstance at all times unpleasant.

Don't hit the person across from you with bits of toast, And don't, when dinner is nearly through, say 'Who's the host' It isn't done.

It is disgusting to pick your teeth; what is vulgar is to use a gold toothpick.

Nobody thanks a witty man for politeness when he puts himself on a par with a society in which it would not be polite to show one's wit.

I was woefully ignorant in the social graces. I was being raised, after all, by Pellinore Warthrop.

If we use no ceremony towards others, we shall be treated without any. People are soon tired of paying trifling attentions to those who receive them with coldness, and return them with neglect.

People give out compliments because it's polite.