You do not have to do everything disagreeable that you have a right to do — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
It has always puzzled me, in my business, that people think they have to answer questions, no matter how disagreeable or dangerous, just because they were asked. Of course, we journalists would be out of business if they didn't. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Smart people duck when they hear the dread announcement 'I'm going to be perfectly honest with you. — Judith Martin Copy Share
If you put together all the ingredients that naturally attract children - sex, violence, revenge, spectacle and vigorous noise - what you have is… — Judith Martin Copy Share
The one prediction that never comes true is, 'You'll thank me for telling you this. — Judith Martin Copy Share
Chaperons, even in their days of glory, were almost never able to enforce morality; what they did was to force immorality to be discreet.… — Judith Martin Copy Share
Perhaps the greatest rudenesses of our time come not from the callousness of strangers, but from the solicitousness of intimates who believe that their… — Judith Martin Copy Share
We are all entitled to our little harmless habits, but we are not entitled to demand approval for them. — Judith Martin Copy Share
“Lady” is not used before the lady’s first name unless she is the daughter of a duke, marquess or earl; those who come by… — Judith Martin Copy Share
Adorable children are considered to be the general property of the human race. Rude children belong to their mothers. — Judith Martin Copy Share
I have always believed that the key to a happy marriage was the ability to say with a straight face, 'Why, I don't know… — Judith Martin Copy Share
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right. — Judith Martin Copy Share
Honesty is a virtue, but not the only one. If you're in a courtroom you need the whole truth and nothing but the truth;… — Judith Martin Copy Share
Society cannot exist without etiquette ... It never has, and until our own century, everybody knew that. — Judith Martin Copy Share
