---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Politeness is sometimes a great tax upon…"
description: "\"Politeness is sometimes a great tax upon sincerity.\" — Charlotte Lennox"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85f/charlotte-lennox-21510_politeness_politeness-is-sometimes-a-great-tax-upon_75877.png"
---

#  Politeness is sometimes a great tax upon sincerity.

![“Politeness is sometimes a great tax upon sincerity.” quote by Charlotte Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85f/charlotte-lennox-21510_politeness_politeness-is-sometimes-a-great-tax-upon_75877.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85f/charlotte-lennox-21510_politeness_politeness-is-sometimes-a-great-tax-upon_75877.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85f/charlotte-lennox-21510_politeness_politeness-is-sometimes-a-great-tax-upon_75877.png)

> “Politeness is sometimes a great tax upon sincerity.”

[Charlotte Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-lennox/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Politeness can mask true feelings, imposing a social cost on authenticity.

**In simple terms:** Social decorum can hinder honesty.

Key Takeaway

Politeness may sacrifice sincerity.

Themes

social norms authenticity communication etiquette psychology

Mood

reflective cautious thoughtful

Type

aphorism observation advice

When to use this quote

- formal meetings
- dinner parties
- customer service interactions
- political debates
- online discussions

Key Concepts

honesty social pressure interpersonal dynamics

Practical Applications

- coaching authentic communication
- designing honest feedback systems

Questions to Reflect On

- When does politeness become detrimental?
- How can we balance courtesy with truth?

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[Politeness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politeness/) [Sincerity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincerity/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/)

## Related quotes

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[Frank McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-mccourt/)

> [“As the head of an expedition, you can't pussyfoot around being polite to everyone. You have to show your teeth once in a while;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-shah/as-the-head-of-an-expedition-you-can-t-pussyfoot-around-being-polite/)

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[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

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[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [To joke in the face of danger is the supreme politeness, a delicate refusal to cast oneself as a tragic hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmond-rostand/to-joke-in-the-face-of-danger-is-the-supreme-politeness-a-delicate/)

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> [With hat in hand, one gets on in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berthold-auerbach/with-hat-in-hand-one-gets-on-in-the-world/)

[Berthold Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berthold-auerbach/)

> [I still do find it very difficult in the West to connect to this politeness of smiling, not saying how you're thinking or not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waris-dirie/i-still-do-find-it-very-difficult-in-the-west-to-connect-to-this/)

[Waris Dirie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waris-dirie/)

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[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [There are few defects in our nature so glaring as not to be veiled from observation by politeness and good-breeding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanis-aw-i-leszczy-ski/there-are-few-defects-in-our-nature-so-glaring-as-not-to-be-veiled/)

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## More by Charlotte Lennox

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> [“The closest she got to pretence was politeness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bennett/the-closest-she-got-to-pretence-was-politeness/)

[Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bennett/)

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[Waris Dirie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waris-dirie/)

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[Berthold Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berthold-auerbach/)

> [To joke in the face of danger is the supreme politeness, a delicate refusal to cast oneself as a tragic hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmond-rostand/to-joke-in-the-face-of-danger-is-the-supreme-politeness-a-delicate/)

[Edmond Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmond-rostand/)

> [Adrian's face was the picture of perfect politeness and restraint, meaning something disastrous was about to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/adrian-s-face-was-the-picture-of-perfect-politeness-and-restraint/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

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[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [“As the head of an expedition, you can't pussyfoot around being polite to everyone. You have to show your teeth once in a while;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-shah/as-the-head-of-an-expedition-you-can-t-pussyfoot-around-being-polite/)

[Tahir Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahir-shah/)

> [When I act tough they listen politely till the spasm passes. They know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-mccourt/when-i-act-tough-they-listen-politely-till-the-spasm-passes-they-know/)

[Frank McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-mccourt/)

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[Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/)

> [“Francis Bacon somewhere remarks that politeness veils vice just as dress masks wrinkles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-doran/francis-bacon-somewhere-remarks-that-politeness-veils-vice-just-as/)

John Doran

> [The sight of the bare katana inspires everyone to a practically Nipponese level of politeness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/the-sight-of-the-bare-katana-inspires-everyone-to-a-practically/)

[Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/)

> [There is a politeness of the heart; this is closely allied to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-a-politeness-of-the-heart-this-is-closely-allied-to-love/)

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/)

[Browse all 377 Politeness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politeness/)

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