Judith Martin Quotes

There can be no defence like elaborate courtesy.

I don't aim to offend.

Politeness is half good manners and half good lying.

In truth, politeness is artificial good humor, it covers the natural want of it, and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue.

Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners.

It is more comfortable for me, in the long run, to be rude than polite.

All doors open to courtesy.

Courteousness is consideration for others; politeness is the method used to deliver such considerations.

I pride myself on being courteous to people, and trying to fashion good relations.

I think it's the easiest thing in the world to be friendly and say 'please' and 'thank you.' I try and remember it and use it.

Gentleness corrects whatever is offensive in our manner.

It is wise to apply the oil of refined politeness to the mechanism of friendship.

I'm not disrespectful to anybody that I'm cool with.

Good manners don't cost nothing.

The greater the controversy, the more you need manners.

The only true source of politeness is consideration.

There's no excuse for rudeness.

Anytime anybody is rude, it makes me double-check my own behavior to make sure I don't do that to other people.

I don't think you should have to try to be nice, I think most people are nice. I think being cheerful and nice is just a politeness.

Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They're underused.

People are pretty respectful for the most part.

If you're not a nice person, don't call.

A man needs to be polite, not just to me but to everyone. I watch that. How does he treat the waiter? How does he treat the coat-check girl? How does he treat the driver?

As youngsters, my mother taught her children that while we might not be the smartest people around, we could be courteous, polite and considerate of others.

The great people I've met always have time for the niceties.