Civility Quote by Adrienne Monnier
“German civility, which often seems stiff to us, shows an attentive and touching respect for the person that I often prefer to our offhandedness.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: French literary criticism, early 20th century
Polite civility, though formal, shows deep respect for individuals, contrasting with casual indifference.
In simple terms: Polite respect shows deeper care than casualness.
Key Takeaway
Value thoughtful respect over casualness.
Themes
civility
respect
social interaction
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- formal gatherings
- customer service
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
social etiquette
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- When does politeness become a barrier?
- How can we balance warmth with respect?
A Different Perspective
Formality can feel insincere if not genuine.
![“Always regard every man as an end in himself, and never use him merely as a means to your ends [i.e., respect that each person has a life and purpose that is their own; do not treat people as objects to be exploited].” quote by Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7e8/immanuel-kant-532_ends_always-regard-every-man-as-an-end-in-him_284436.jpg)
![“[T]he politically correct are above the rules of ordinary civility, once they have identified you as an unbeliever in their religion.” quote by Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/abd/orson-scott-card-134_civility_t-he-politically-correct-are-above-the-r_75276.jpg)
