If it's against state law, it's generally considered a breach of Etiquette. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
One should not be assigned one's identity in society by the job slot one happens to fill. If we truly believe in… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The only way to enjoy the fun of catching people behaving disgustingly is to have children. One has to keep having them,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Honesty is a virtue, but not the only one. If you're in a courtroom you need the whole truth and nothing but… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
If you put together all the ingredients that naturally attract children - sex, violence, revenge, spectacle and vigorous noise - what you… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Yes, etiquette is hypocritical. Yes, it does inhibit children - if you're lucky. But the idea that it's elitist and irrelevant is… — 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,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Should you happen to notice that another person is extremely tall or overweight, eats too much or declines convivial drinks, has red… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Precision marching is less important for the bridal party than maintaining the proper facial expresssions: The bridegroom must look awed; the bridesmaids,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
You can deny all you want that there is etiquette, and a lot of people do in everyday life. But if you… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The etiquette of intimacy is very different from the etiquette of formality, but manners are not just something to show off to… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Screening telephone calls with a receptionist or the humbler answering machine is not a dishonorable thing to do. The warmest people in… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Question- Should I loan a small amount of money to a friend? Answer- If you are sure that you can, if necessary,… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
Visiting the sick is supposed to exhibit such great virtue that there are some people determined to do it whether the sick… — 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 Image
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 Image
The one prediction that never comes true is, 'You'll thank me for telling you this. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
We are all entitled to our little harmless habits, but we are not entitled to demand approval for them. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
“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 Image
Adorable children are considered to be the general property of the human race. Rude children belong to their mothers. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
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 Image
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right. — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
