---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A common civility to an impertinent…"
description: "\"A common civility to an impertinent fellow, often draws upon one a great many unforeseen troubles; and if one doth not take particular care, will be in..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/joseph-addison-377_care_a-common-civility-to-an-impertinent-fell_1347382.png"
---

#  A common civility to an impertinent fellow, often draws…

![“A common civility to an impertinent fellow, often draws upon one a great many unforeseen troubles; and if one doth not take particular care, will be interpreted by him as an overture of friendship and intimacy.” quote by Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/joseph-addison-377_care_a-common-civility-to-an-impertinent-fell_1347382.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/joseph-addison-377_care_a-common-civility-to-an-impertinent-fell_1347382.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/joseph-addison-377_care_a-common-civility-to-an-impertinent-fell_1347382.png)

> “A common civility to an impertinent fellow, often draws upon one a great many unforeseen troubles; and if one doth not take particular care, will be interpreted by him as an overture of friendship and intimacy.”

[Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/)

## About This Quote

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

Politeness toward a rude person can unintentionally invite more trouble, especially if misread as friendliness.

**In simple terms:** Being overly polite may cause problems.

Key Takeaway

Use discernment in social interactions.

Themes

social etiquette communication boundaries

Mood

analytical cautious

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- networking events
- customer service
- diplomatic negotiations

Key Concepts

misinterpretation social risk

Questions to Reflect On

- When should you with politeness for clarity?
- How can you set boundaries without offense?

A Different Perspective

Politeness may be seen as weakness.

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[Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Civility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civility/) [Civility Impertinent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civility-impertinent-4570376/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common Civility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-civility-4570377/) [Draws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draws/) [Fellows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fellows/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Great man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) [Great men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-men/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Intimacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimacy/) [Overture Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overture-friendship-4570378/) [Particular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particular/) [Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance/) [Trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble/) [Unforeseen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unforeseen/) [Unforeseen Troubles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unforeseen-troubles-4570379/)

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