Society is commonly too cheap. We meet at very short…
““Society is commonly too cheap. We meet at very short intervals, not having had time to acquire any new value for each other.We meet at meals three times a day, and give each other a new taste of that musty old cheese that we are. We have had to agree on a certain set of rules, called etiquette and politeness, to make this frequent meeting tolerable and that we need not come to open war. We meet at the post office, and at the sociable, and at the fireside every night; we live thick and are in each other's way, and stumble over one another, and I think that we thus lose some respect for one another.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Frequent superficial interactions erode genuine respect, making etiquette a fragile peacekeeper.
In simple terms: Too many shallow meetings weaken respect.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate deeper, less frequent connections.
Themes
respect
social interaction
etiquette
community
authenticity
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family dinners
- community gatherings
- online social media
- workplace meetings
- neighborhood events
Key Concepts
social cohesion
psychology of relationships
cultural norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we make brief encounters meaningful?
- What rituals deepen respect quickly?
A Different Perspective
Superficial contact can also foster solidarity if intentional.