William Alexander Percy Quotes

Etiquette is all human social behavior. If you're a hermit on a mountain, you don't have to worry about etiquette; if somebody comes up the mountain, then you've got a problem. It matters because we want to live in reasonably harmonious communities.

There is reason in the distinction of civil and uncivil. The manners are sometimes so rough a rind that we doubt whether they cover any core or sap-wood at all.

Manners, really good ones, make it possible to live with almost anyone, gracefully and pleasantly.

The knowledge of courtesy and good manners is a very necessary study. It is like grace and beauty, that which begets liking and an inclination to love one another at the first sight.

Nice manners are the secret keys to the universe.

There is no policy like politeness; and a good manner is the best thing in the world either to get a good name, or to supply the want of it.

The challenge of manners is not so much to be nice to someone whose favor and/or person you covet (although more people need to be reminded of that necessity than one would suppose) as to be exposed to the bad manners of others without imitating them.

Good manners can replace morals. It may be years before anyone knows if what you are doing is right. But if what you are doing is nice, it will be immediately evident.

Politeness does not always inspire goodness, equity, complaisance, and gratitude; it gives at least the appearance of these qualities, and makes man appear outwardly, as he should be within.

People don't know how to behave in public anymore.

Manners are love in a cool climate.

Etiquette means behaving yourself a little better than is absolutely essential.

It's one of these things that I've been struck by for so long about America. You know, this amazing politeness of American life that's not at all class specific. It's not like people get more polite as ascend the hierarchy of society. Just incredible good manners. It's always been something that I've noticed.

There is not a single outward mark of courtesy that does not have a deep moral basis.

Good behavior is everybody's business, and good taste can be everyone's goal.

It would be nice if people said, God bless you not just when you sneezed but also when you farted.

That bad manners are so prevalent in the world is the fault of good manners.

Good manners come, as we say, from good breeding or rather are good breeding; and breeding is acquired by habitual action, in response to habitual stimuli, not by conveying information.

What a rare gift, by the by, is that of manners! how difficult to define, how much more difficult to impart! Better for a man to possess them than wealth, beauty, or talent; they will more than supply all.

Civility is a desire to receive civilities, and to be accounted well-bred.

The basis of good manners is self-reliance.

Good manners are the techniques of expressing consideration for the feelings of others.

Good manners do more for a man that good looks.

People give out compliments because it's polite.

Manners. Manners will get you through anything.