Courtesy and Character

Where people live and move so crowded, so close, of much importance are courtesy and character. “Manners are not so frivolous or unimportant as some may think…” said Samuel Smiles. “A manner gracious and cordial is among the greatest aids to success, and many… fail for want of it; …rudeness and gruffness bar doors and shut hearts,… A man’s manner, so a certain extent, indicates his character… his taste,… his temper,… Artificial rules of politeness are of very little use. What passes by the name of ‘Etiquette’ is often the essence of… untruthfulness. It consists in a great measure of posture-making, and is easily seen through… but the natural manner… signifies a great deal… Good manners consist, for the most part in courteousness and kindness… The truest politeness comes of sincerity… No amount of polish can dispense with truthfulness… True courtesy is kind. It… contributes to the happiness of others, and in refraining fro all that may annoy them… Want of respect for the feelings of others… want of sympathy and want of delicacy — usually originates in selfishness… and neglect of those little and apparently trifling things which are so essential. Without some degree of self-restraint many men are… rendering success impossible by their own cross-grained ungentleness; while others,… much less gifted, make their way and achieve success by simple patience,… and self-control.” Courtesy and kindness and thoughtfulness are increasingly essential to the successful living of life, and true courtesy never comes without true character. “…good manners are thoughts filled with kindness and refinement and then translated into behavior.”