Attitude Quote by Jean de La Bruyère
““The very essence of politeness is to take care that by our words and actions we make other people pleased with us as well as with themselves.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Les Caractères, 1688
Politeness means ensuring our words and deeds please both others and themselves.
In simple terms: Be kind so others feel good about themselves.
Key Takeaway
Act with consideration for others.
Themes
courtesy
empathy
social harmony
Mood
respectful
thoughtful
Type
ethical
interpersonal
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- customer service
- family gatherings
- teaching
- public speaking
Key Concepts
social etiquette
self‑esteem
interpersonal dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your behavior affect others’ self‑image?
- Can politeness be authentic?
A Different Perspective
May be seen as self‑serving rather than genuine.
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
