Judith Martin Quotes

I know how I like to be treated, so I always start by saying, 'Could you give me a moment of your time, I know you're very busy,' and usually, they will.

You're never rude,' she said, smiling, 'and I think it's good to be touchy sometimes. It means you care.

Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.

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.

Making an effort is polite, and getting ready and looking after yourself makes an event more fun.

I don't want to go about offending people; that's not my plan.

Talk well of the absent whenever you have the opportunity.

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

I almost felt that I should offer to serve coffee.

I'm big on manners. I'm big on politeness. I'm big on gratitude.

I have realised that it's important to be a sport, be nice, and know what to speak and when.

I'd rather be a good guest in someone's home than tell them I don't like their food or make fun of them.

True politeness is consideration for the opinions of others. It has been said of dogmatism that it is only puppyism come to its full growth; and certainly the worst form this quality can assume is that of opinionativeness and arrogance.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Politeness and consideration for others is like investing pennies and getting dollars back.

Being nice should never be perceived as being weak. It's not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of courtesy, manners, grace, a woman's ability to make everyone...feel at home, and it should never be construed as weakness.

Unless you got a really good reason, you should be nice.

The essence of good manners consists in making it clear that one has no wish to hurt. When it is clearly necessary to hurt, it must be done in such a way as to make it evident that the necessity is felt to be regrettable.

Maybe one of you can enlighten me, but I just don't understand why it is so hard to be kind to one another?

Give warm greetings and farewells. I was surprised by how much this resolution changed the atmosphere of my home.

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.

Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.

I don't like to hurt people's feelings, and I don't like to knock other writers as a matter of principle.

I find it upsetting to see the erosion of manners. It's very scary. Where are the 'pleases' and 'thank yous?'

I'm not sure if I've learned anything from show business. Life in general has taught me if you're kind to people, everything gets easier. Being a decent person really smoothes the way for you and everyone else.