TRUE politeness arises from the heart, not the head.

… THE machinery of life is so apt to be heated, one keenly appreciates those who are ever deftly pouring in the cooling oil, by their patience and their tact, their sweetness and their sympathy.   And one resents keenly that class of people who are honest and well meaning, but who are persistently discourteous and are not ashamed – I mean the man who is credited with what is called a bluff, blunt manner, and who credits himself with a special quality of downrightness and straightforwardness.   He considers it far better to say what he thinks, and boasts that he never minces his words, and people make all kinds of excuses for him, and rather talk as if he were a very fine fellow, beside whom civil-spoken persons are little better than hypocrites.   As a matter of fact, no one can calculate the pain this outspoken gentleman causes in a single day, both in his family and outside.

Dr. JOHN WATSON

THERE is a courtesy of the heart; it is allied to love.  From it springs the purest courtesy in the outward behaviour.

GOETHE

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These quotes are from ‘Character and Conduct’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1905 as a follow up to her volume of Daily Readings for members of the Being and Doing Guild who asked for an additional volume

In her preface Whishaw writes:

‘This collection of noble thoughts expressed by men and women of past and present ages who have endeavoured to leave the world a little better than they found it.’

It is my hope in publishing them here readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.

Character and Conduct – 24 July – Courtesy

TRUE politeness arises from the heart, not the head.

… THE machinery of life is so apt to be heated, one keenly appreciates those who are ever deftly pouring in the cooling oil, by their patience and their tact, their sweetness and their sympathy.   And one resents keenly that class of people who are honest and well meaning, but who are persistently discourteous and are not ashamed – I mean the man who is credited with what is called a bluff, blunt manner, and who credits himself with a special quality of downrightness and straightforwardness.   He considers it far better to say what he thinks, and boasts that he never minces his words, and people make all kinds of excuses for him, and rather talk as if he were a very fine fellow, beside whom civil-spoken persons are little better than hypocrites.   As a matter of fact, no one can calculate the pain this outspoken gentleman causes in a single day, both in his family and outside.

Dr. JOHN WATSON

THERE is a courtesy of the heart; it is allied to love.  From it springs the purest courtesy in the outward behaviour.

GOETHE

oooOOOooo

These quotes are from ‘Character and Conduct’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1905 as a follow up to her volume of Daily Readings for members of the Being and Doing Guild who asked for an additional volume

In her preface Whishaw writes:

‘This collection of noble thoughts expressed by men and women of past and present ages who have endeavoured to leave the world a little better than they found it.’

It is my hope in publishing them here readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.