Smart people duck when they hear the dread announcement 'I'm going to be perfectly honest with you. — Judith Martin Announcements 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 Children Copy Share Image
The one prediction that never comes true is, 'You'll thank me for telling you this. — Judith Martin Busybodies 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… — Judith Martin Able Copy Share Image
There are always proper responses, even to rude questions. — Judith Martin Inspirational 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… — Judith Martin Behavior Copy Share Image
We are all entitled to our little harmless habits, but we are not entitled to demand approval for them. — Judith Martin Approval 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… — Judith Martin Children Copy Share Image
Adorable children are considered to be the general property of the human race. Rude children belong to their mothers. — Judith Martin Adorable 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… — Judith Martin Ability Copy Share Image
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right. — Judith Martin Character 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 Courtroom Copy Share Image
Only a person who considers himself too good for you is good enough. — Judith Martin Enough Copy Share Image
Society cannot exist without etiquette ... It never has, and until our own century, everybody knew that. — Judith Martin Century Copy Share Image
The stress of making small talk with in-laws is called being part of a family. — Judith Martin Family Copy Share Image
“new method of taxing people with their faults has not only retained but magnified its own faults. It tells only one side… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
The more skillful the performance of false cheer, the more pleasing the effect is upon one's public and on that private audience… — Judith Martin Audience Copy Share Image
Do you have a kinder, more adaptable friend in the food world than soup? Who soothes you when you are ill? Who… — Judith Martin Adaptable Copy Share Image
The challenge of manners is not so much to be nice to someone whose favor and/or person you covet (although more people… — Judith Martin Bad man Copy Share Image
There is nothing like a good friend to help you out when you are not in trouble. — Judith Martin Friends Copy Share Image
The truly essential bargain between host and guest requires the guest only to respond promptly, show up on time, socialize with other… — Judith Martin Bargains Copy Share Image
“But sometimes one hears an Etiquette-Buster’s confession that rings true: “You make me feel guilty.” I’m not going to bother, this argument… — Judith Martin Copy Share Image
When you consider how epidemic boredom is in our time, you have to concede that entertaining is a healing art. — Judith Martin Art Copy Share Image
