Andre Maurois Quotes

The flowering of civilization is the finished man, the man of sense, of grace, of accomplishment, of social power--the gentleman.

Nothing is more pleasant than to see a pretty woman, her napkin well placed under her arms, one of her hands on the table, while the other carries to her mouth, the choice piece so elegantly carved.

Being a 'Lady' used to be something to which all young women aspired.

He who reflects on another man's want of breeding, shows he wants it as much himself

The bookshelf, like the book, has become an integral part of civilization as we know it, its presence in a home practically defining what it means to be civilized, educated, and refined.

Good breeding consists in having no particular mark of any profession, but a general elegance of manners.

To have properly studied the liberal sciences gives a polish to our manners, and removes all awkwardness.

Association with women is the basis of good manners.

How then is perfection to be sought? Wherein lies our hope? In education, and in nothing else.

Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way through the world.

Good manners are a combination of intelligence, education, taste and style mixed together so that you don't need any of those things.

It's worth living abroad to study up on genteel and delicate manners. The maid smiles continuously; she smiles like a duchess on a stage, while at the same time it is clear from her face that she is exhausted from overwork.

Learning is not compulsory; it's voluntary... But to survive, we must learn.

Books are precious things, but more than that, they are the strong backbone of civilization. They are the thread upon which it all hangs, and they can save us when all else is lost.

You're never too old or too busy to continue your educatioan!

The end of knowledge is wisdom The end of culture is perfection The end of wisdom is freedom The end of education is character. And character consists of eagerness to renounce one's selfish greed.

The academy is not paradise. But learning is a place where paradise can be created.

I have heard that stiff people lose something of their awkwardness under high ceilings, and in spacious halls. I think, sculptureand painting have an effect to teach us manners, and abolish hurry.

If you ever have to make a choice between learning and inspiration, choose learning. It works most of the time.

If you want to earn more - learn more.

Barbarian that I am, I had eaten all of it. It had tasted quite nice too. Still, I took note of this fact and resigned myself to throw away half of a perfectly good cheese if it was set in front of me. Such is the price of civilization.

They are called finishing-schools and the name tells accurately what they are. They finish everything.

In Scouting, a boy is encouraged to educate himself instead of being instructed.

Without books the development of civilization would have been impossible. They are the engines of change, windows on the world, "Lighthouses" as the poet said "erected in the sea of time." They are companions, teachers, magicians, bankers of the treasures of the mind, Books are humanity in print.

Don't be addicted to money. Work to learn. don't work for money. Work for knowledge.