Other related topics at:
Virtue and Vice
193. Conversation; Manners;
Prying
"Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen. It
is assuming a superiority, and it is particularly wrong to
question a man concerning himself. There may be parts of his
former life which he may not wish to be made known to other
persons, or even brought to his own recollection."
Boswell: Life
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334. Manners
"Sir, it is very bad manners to carry provisions to any man's
house, as if he could not entertain you. To an inferior, it is
oppressive; to a superior, it is insolent."
Boswell: Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides
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337. Breeding; Manners
He insisted that politeness was of great consequence in society.
"It is," said he, "fictitious benevolence. It supplies the place
of it amongst those who see each other only in publick, or but
little. Depend on it, the want of it never fails to produce
something disagreeable to one or other."
Boswell: Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides
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367. Eating; Manners; Scotland
"At the tables where a stranger is received, neither plenty nor
delicacy is wanting. ... Every kind of flesh is undoubtedly
excelled by the variety and emulation of English markets; but
that which is not best may be yet very far from bad, and he that
shall complain of his fare in the Hebrides, has improved his
delicacy more than his manhood."
Johnson: Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland
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660. Manners
"When once the forms of civility are violated, there remains
little hope of return to kindness or decency."
Johnson: Rambler #55 (September 25, 1750)
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746. Breeding; Manners
"Courtesy and good humour are often found with little real
worth."
Johnson: Dryden (Lives of the Poets)
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1,006. Breeding; Manners
"Politeness is one of those advantages which we never estimate
rightly but by the inconvenience of its loss."
Johnson: Rambler #98 (February 23, 1751)
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1,007. Manners
"As sickness shows us the value of ease, a little familiarity
with those who were never taught to endeavour the gratification
of others, but regulate their behaviour merely by their own will,
will soon evince the necessity of established modes and
formalities to the happiness and quiet of common life."
Johnson: Rambler #98 (February 23, 1751)
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1,008. Breeding; Manners
"Wisdom and virtue are by no means sufficient, without the
supplemental laws of good breeding, to secure freedom from
degenerating to rudeness, or selfesteem from swelling into
insolence; a thousand incivilities may be committed, and a
thousand offices neglected, without any remorse of conscience or
reproach from reason."
Johnson: Rambler #98 (February 23, 1751)
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1,009. Manners
"The true effect of genuine politeness seems to be rather ease
than pleasure. ... Though it be the privilege of a very small
number to ravish and to charm, every man may hope by rules and
caution not to give pain, and may, therefore, by the help of good
breeding, enjoy the kindness of mankind, though he should have no
claim to higher distinctions."
Johnson: Rambler #98 (February 23, 1751)
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1,010. Appropriateness; Manners;
Superficiality
"I have, indeed, not found among any part of mankind less real
and rational complaisance than among those who have passed their
time in paying and receiving visits, in frequenting public
entertainments, in studying the exact measures of ceremony, and
in watching all the variations of fashionable courtesy. They
know, indeed, at what hour they may beat the door of an
acquaintance, how many steps they must attend him towards the
gate, and what interval should pass before his visit is returned;
but seldom extend their care beyond the exterior and unessential
parts of civility, nor refuse their own vanity for gratification,
however expensive to the quiet of another."
Johnson: Rambler #98 (February 23, 1751)
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