Geraldine Brooks Quotes

Good taste is as tiring as good company.

Culture is but the fine flowering of real education, and it is the training of the feeling, the tastes, and the manners that makes it so.

Men who listen to classical music tend not to spit.

Good-breeding shows itself most where to an ordinary eye it appears the least.

Courtesy is a science of the highest importance. It is...opening a door that we may derive instruction from the example of others, and at the same time enabling us to benefit them by our example, if there be anything in our character worthy of imitation.

The Indian is one of Nature's gentlemen--he never says or does a rude or vulgar thing. The vicious, uneducated barbarians, who form the surplus of overpopulous European countries, are far behind the wild man in delicacy of feeling or natural courtesy.

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

Good manners disappear in proportion as the influence of a Court and an exclusive aristocracy lessens; this decrease can be plainly observed from decade to decade by those who have an eye for public behavior, which grows visibly.

Defect in manners is usually the defect of fine perceptions. Men are too coarsely made for the delicacy of beautiful carriage and customs. It is not quite sufficient to good breeding, a union of kindness and independence.

I remember manners, that's when people are scared to make other persons mad.

There are people who balk at small civilities on account of their manifest insincerity. ... It is better and more logical to accept all the polite phraseology which facilitates intercourse, and contributes to the sweetness of life. If we discarded the formal falsehoods which are the currency of conversation, we should not be one step nearer the vital things of truth.

That only can with propriety be styled refinement which, by strengthening the intellect, purifies the manners.

I've got confidence that most people in America still have a decent sense of manners, propriety, morality.

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.

Certain types of loudmouthism should be a capital offense among decent people.

As a well-known great man would have said if he had thought of it, "Don't go around offending people just because it can be done sitting down."

The vulgar only laugh, but never smile; whereas well-bred people often smile, but seldom laugh.

Politeness has been defined to be artificial good-nature; but we may affirm, with much greater propriety, that good-nature is natural politeness.

I also surround myself with good people who keep me and bring the best out of me. I don't generally hang out with crazy people.

Many young persons believe themselves natural when they are only impolite and coarse.

Good manners can render even virtue tolerable.

India always changes people, and I have been no exception

I have no use for people who exhibit manners.

Remain dignified, dress well, be good to other people and you’ll be fine.

it is bad manners to contradict a guest. You must never insult people in your own house - always go to theirs.