Coins Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
“It is a wise thing to be polite; consequently, it is a stupid thing to be rude. To make enemies by unnecessary and willful incivility, is just as insane a proceeding as to set your house on fire. For politeness is like a counter--an avowedly false coin, with which it is foolish to be stingy.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The World as Will and Representation, Arthur Schopenhauer, 1818
Politeness prevents needless conflict; rudeness creates enemies and chaos, like burning one's own house.
In simple terms: Being polite avoids needless enemies; rudeness harms.
Key Takeaway
Choose courtesy over rudeness.
Themes
courtesy
conflict
social harmony
self‑interest
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace interactions
- family gatherings
- online discussions
- customer service
- diplomacy
Key Concepts
ethical behavior
social psychology
interpersonal dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your behavior affect others' willingness to cooperate?
- When is blunt honesty preferable to politeness?
A Different Perspective
Politeness alone cannot resolve deep‑seated grievances; context matters.
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
![“[Materialism] seeks the primary and most simple state of matter, and then tries to develop all the others from it; ascending from mere mechanism, to chemism, to polarity, to the vegetable and to the animal kingdom. And if we suppose this to have been done, the last link in the chain would be…” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88c/arthur-schopenhauer-226_animal-kingdom_materialism-seeks-the-primary-and-most-s_50402.jpg)
