Voltaire Quotes

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

To refuse graciously is to confer a favor.

There can be no defence like elaborate courtesy.

Politeness is half good manners and half good lying.

Courtesies cannot be borrowed like snow shovels; you must have some of your own.

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

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

Never insult anyone by accident.

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

Gentleness corrects whatever is offensive in our manner.

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

True politeness consists in being easy one's self, and in making every one about one as easy as one can.

Don't flatter yourselves that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. On the contrary, the nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become.

Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax.

Class is considerate of others. It knows that good manners is nothing more than a series of petty sacrifices.

Let's not confuse traditional behaviours with good manners. The definition of etiquette is gender neutral - it simply means we strive at all times to ensure a person in our company feels at ease.

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

To use bitter words, when kind words are at hand, Is like picking unripe fruit when the ripe fruit is there.

Politeness is the result of good sense and good nature.

I don't aim to offend.

The only true source of politeness is consideration.

Politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in business. Large stores, gilt signs, flaming advertisements, will all prove unavailing if you or your employees treat your patrons abruptly. The truth is, the more kind and liberal a man is, the more generous will be the patronage bestowed upon him.

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

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

If someone's being less than courteous to you, I don't think you need to pay any attention to them.