Prince Philip Quotes

Nine times out of 10, the most charming thing to say in any given situation will be the exact opposite of what one really feels.

None but an ass pays a compliment and asks a favour at the same time. There are many asses.

It is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are they the result of previous study?

Discretion is the polite word for hypocrisy.

Politeness, n: The most acceptable hypocrisy.

We tell only part of a man's qualities in his presence, and all of them when he is not present.

Not all lies are harmful. Sometimes we're willing participants in deception for the sake of social dignity, maybe to keep a secret that should be kept secret, secret. We say, 'Nice song.' 'Honey, you don't look fat in that, no.'

Politeness is sometimes a great tax upon sincerity.

All men have a feeling, that they would rather you told them a civil lie than give them a point blank refusal.... If you make a promise, the thing is still uncertain, depends on a future day, and concerns but few people; but if you refuse you alienate people to a certainty and at once, and many people too.

Often I must speak otherwise than I think. This is called diplomacy.

This laudable quality is commonly known by the name of Manners and Good-breeding, and consists in a Fashionable Habit, acquir'd by Precept and Example, of flattering the Pride and Selfishness of others, and concealing our own with Judgment and Dexterity.

Politeness is deception in pretty packaging.

In our interactions with people, a benevolent hypocrisy is frequently required--acting as though we do not see through the motivesof their actions.

I tried to be diplomatic, but mostly I just lied a lot.

The highest perfection of politeness is only a beautiful edifice, built, from the base to the dome, of ungraceful and gilded forms of charitable and unselfish lying.

Flattery is a challenge. The proper turning away from it, undercutting, diminishing it without offense or vehemence, is a social grace sweeter even than the swift determination to keep ahead in the race of hospitality.

Twas never merry world Since lowly feigning was called compliment.

She stretched out her hand, saying, “Vernon! My dear, what a delightful surprise!” “What’s surprising about it?” he enquired, lifting his black brows. “Didn’t you ask me to come?” The smile remained pinned to Lady Buxted’s lips, but she replied with more than a touch of acidity: “To be sure I did, but so many days ago that I supposed you had gone out of town!” “Oh, no!” he said, returning her smile with one of great sweetness.

There would be no sunshine in society if the born flatterers, I mean the so-called amiable people, did not bring it in with them.

Politeness is fictitious benevolence. Depend upon it, the want of it never fails to produce something disagreeable to one or other.

A world without any lies at all is not a good world, because it's artless and because there are no white lies, no flattery.

There is no polite way to suggest to someone that they have devoted their life to a folly.

I find it very eerie when somebody is being really polite.

Only a sadistic scoundrel-or a fool-tells the bald truth on social occasions.

...William wondered why he always disliked people who said 'no offense meant.' Maybe it was because they found it easier to to say 'no offense meant' than actually to refrain from giving offense.