Lionel Blue Quotes

I write thank-you notes the minute I throw the wrapping paper away.

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.

In my book, all manners are is thinking of somebody else.

When people help me out, even with something like a move or a ride to the airport, I'm always thinking 'Are you sure it's okay? Are you sure you don't mind?'

Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.

I think a gentleman is someone who holds the comfort of other people above their own. The instinct to do that is inside every good man, I believe. The rules about opening doors and buying dinner and all of that other 'gentleman' stuff is a chess game, especially these days.

If you are good to this one and that one, this one and that one will say that you are good. If you are good to everyone, no one will say that you are good.

I quite like it when I'm on the Tube and people offer me their seat. Sometimes I take it. The other day I was offered a seat by a pregnant lady. I thought, 'That's going a bit far.'

Well, as I was saying... everyone's so nice to me, usually.

I would never do anything to hurt anybody, especially if they're helping me. I'm not that kind of person.

I try to be kind to people, to treat them with respect. And I'm proud of that.

It is boorish to live ungraciously: the giving is the hardest part; what does it cost to add a smile?

It's nice to be important, but it's important to always be nice.

No person in the world ever lost anything by being nice to me.

We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.

I grew up being taught, 'Do unto others as they would do unto you.' I would get scolded for not being polite.

But my father was also the one who told me I needed to clean up my mouth or I'd never find a man. What's very important to him is manners. Show up on time. Always send thank-you letters. He is one of the more thoughtful humans I've ever met. He's a great man and a very good dad.

The funny thing is people won't let me pay for things. I'll be in a restaurant and the manager will say, 'Oh no, it's on the house.'

When you're nice, people like you and will want to work with you. But it can mean that they take you for granted.

Kindness is always fashionable, and always welcome.

I'm not always so nice.

If I go to your home, and you're cooking me a meal, I will eat whatever you put in front of me.

It's nice when people approach you to help.

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

It is nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.