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Authors:
Judith Martin Quotes

Judith Martin quotes

American Author September 13, 1938

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Quotes

GENTLE READER: You, sir, are an anarchist, and Miss Manners is frightened to have anything to do with you. It is true that questioning the table manners of others is rude. But to overthrow the accepted conventions of society, on the flimsy grounds that you have found them silly, inefficient and discomforting, is a dangerous step toward destroying civilization. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "Honesty has come to mean the privilege of insulting you to..."
Honesty has come to mean the privilege of insulting you to your face without expecting redress. Judith Martin
There are three possible parts to a date, of which at least two must be offered: entertainment, food, and affection. It is customary to begin a series of dates with a great deal of entertainment, a moderate amount of food, and the merest suggestion of affection. As the amount of affection increases, the entertainment can be reduced proportionately. When the affection IS the entertainment, we no longer call it dating. Under no circumstances can the food be omitted. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "If you can't be kind, at least be vague."
If you can't be kind, at least be vague. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "Many people mistakenly think a new technology cancels out an..."
Many people mistakenly think a new technology cancels out an old one. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be..."
We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society. Judith Martin
We already know that anonymous letters are despicable. In etiquette, as well as in law, hiring a hit man to do the job does not relieve you of responsibility. Judith Martin
Chaperons, even in their days of glory, were almost never able to enforce morality; what they did was to force immorality to be discreet. This is no small contribution. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "You glance at an e-mail. You give more attention to a real..."
You glance at an e-mail. You give more attention to a real letter. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "When a society abandons its ideals just because most people..."
When a society abandons its ideals just because most people can't live up to them, behavior gets very ugly indeed. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when..."
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "Eating grapes with a knife and fork is not what one would call..."
Eating grapes with a knife and fork is not what one would call refined. It is what one would call ludicrous. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "Charming villains have always had a decided social advantage..."
Charming villains have always had a decided social advantage over well-meaning people who chew with their mouths open. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "There are three social classes in America: upper middle class,..."
There are three social classes in America: upper middle class, middle class, and lower middle class. Judith Martin
Judith Martin quote: "Chaperons don't enforce morality; they force immorality to be..."
Chaperons don't enforce morality; they force immorality to be discreet. Judith Martin

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