--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People didn’t get nice by accident, did…" description: "\"“People didn’t get nice by accident, did they? They had parents who were nice. Nice to their kids, nice to others. His parents . . . well, they didn’t ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/jude-watson-13981_39-clues_people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-t_630431.png" --- # People didn’t get nice by accident, did they? They had… ![“People didn’t get nice by accident, did they? They had parents who were nice. Nice to their kids, nice to others. His parents . . . well, they didn’t understand the concept of “nice.” quote by Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/jude-watson-13981_39-clues_people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-t_630431.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/jude-watson-13981_39-clues_people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-t_630431.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/jude-watson-13981_39-clues_people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-t_630431.png) > ““People didn’t get nice by accident, did they? They had parents who were nice. Nice to their kids, nice to others. His parents . . . well, they didn’t understand the concept of “nice.”” [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that kindness is learned from upbringing, not innate, implying that parental behavior shapes a child's disposition toward niceness. **In simple terms:** Kindness comes from how you were raised. Key Takeaway Reflect on how your upbringing influences your behavior. Themes parenting learning kindness Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice observational When to use this quote - family dynamics - child development - education - personal growth Key Concepts socialization behavioral modeling Questions to Reflect On - How did your parents model kindness? - What habits can you adopt to cultivate niceness? A Different Perspective If parents lack a clear model of niceness, children may struggle to develop it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ian kabra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ian-kabra/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [“People didn’t get nice by accident, did they? They had parents who were nice. Nice to their kids, nice to others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-they-they-had-parents-who-were-2/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [I had a very nice life. I was a very good kid. I had nice friends. I played in the school yard. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-lauren/i-had-a-very-nice-life-i-was-a-very-good-kid-i-had-nice-friends-i/) [Ralph Lauren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-lauren/) > [“There’s someone in town asking for directions to Bhaile Anois,” she said. “He checked in late last night at the inn.” Any and Dan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/there-s-someone-in-town-asking-for-directions-to-bhaile-anois-she/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Atticus adjusted his glasses as he peered down at the blanket. “Hey, is that the book Nellie told us about?” Jake’s eyes flicked to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/atticus-adjusted-his-glasses-as-he-peered-down-at-the-blanket-hey-is/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“It looks ancient," - Amy Cahill”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/it-looks-ancient-amy-cahill/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Pony eyed the pitcher of hot fudge sauce Nellie had placed on the table. “And if you pass that pitcher, I will reveal a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/pony-eyed-the-pitcher-of-hot-fudge-sauce-nellie-had-placed-on-the/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Are you taking us to the beach?" - Dan Cahill”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/are-you-taking-us-to-the-beach-dan-cahill/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Palm trees were fanned by a warm, light breeze, and they rolled down their windows to smell the sea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/palm-trees-were-fanned-by-a-warm-light-breeze-and-they-rolled-down/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Nooooooooooo!" Screaming the word, Amy and Dan moved as one. Time slowed down, which, Dan knew from experience, often happened when you were in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/nooooooooooo-screaming-the-word-amy-and-dan-moved-as-one-time-slowed/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“With Dan you have to listen to his underneath, you know? Not so much what he says.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/with-dan-you-have-to-listen-to-his-underneath-you-know-not-so-much/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“It SMELLS ancient," - Dan Cahill”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/it-smells-ancient-dan-cahill/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > ["Be nice to your parents." When they made the decision to have a child, whether it was planned or not, they were changing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/be-nice-to-your-parents-when-they-made-the-decision-to-have-a-child/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [It would have been nice to be parents, but I don't feel wistful about it any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-cribbins/it-would-have-been-nice-to-be-parents-but-i-don-t-feel-wistful-about/) [Bernard Cribbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-cribbins/) > [I like my parents but they are just not good parents. They are nice enough people. I'm not interested in hurting their feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-carolla/i-like-my-parents-but-they-are-just-not-good-parents-they-are-nice/) [Adam Carolla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-carolla/) > [Just because someones parents are together, someone has a nice house, has nice clothes, isnt poor, eats every day and has a loving family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ream/just-because-someones-parents-are-together-someone-has-a-nice-house/) [Ream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ream/) ## More by Jude Watson > [“Atticus adjusted his glasses as he peered down at the blanket. “Hey, is that the book Nellie told us about?” Jake’s eyes flicked to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/atticus-adjusted-his-glasses-as-he-peered-down-at-the-blanket-hey-is/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“We need you to go out there and cover for us while we search for whoever's bugging us," Amy said. "Whoever it is, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/we-need-you-to-go-out-there-and-cover-for-us-while-we-search-for/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Amy decided she was never watching Animal Planet again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/amy-decided-she-was-never-watching-animal-planet-again/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“With Dan you have to listen to his underneath, you know? Not so much what he says.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/with-dan-you-have-to-listen-to-his-underneath-you-know-not-so-much/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“You're a model? Never would have guessed," Jonah said in a lazy, teasing voice that caused Hamilton's head to swivel. He'd never seen Jonah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/you-re-a-model-never-would-have-guessed-jonah-said-in-a-lazy-teasing/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“We just stole a painting and smuggled ourselves off a train," Amy said, trying to sound confident. "And we can't shop ?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/we-just-stole-a-painting-and-smuggled-ourselves-off-a-train-amy-said/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Amy looked up at him. Their faces were very close. She remembered when those dark expressive eyes would make her quiver inside, when being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/amy-looked-up-at-him-their-faces-were-very-close-she-remembered-when/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“grinned. “If I’m driving, we can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/grinned-if-i-m-driving-we-can/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“I am speaking of something deeper. I am speaking of everything a being can give another. This is what I offer you. I offer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/i-am-speaking-of-something-deeper-i-am-speaking-of-everything-a-being/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Even though I'm a Jedi, I am not invincible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/even-though-i-m-a-jedi-i-am-not-invincible/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [ “I know that the chances for success are slim. \[...\] But odds are mathematical formulas calculated to give people a reason not to try.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/i-know-that-the-chances-for-success-are-slim-but-odds-are/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“That’s my second rule of life,” Dan said. “There’s always a guy named Joe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/that-s-my-second-rule-of-life-dan-said-there-s-always-a-guy-named-joe/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Ian put in. "Just fridge yourselves, as Jonah says." "Dude," Dan said. "Do you mean chill ?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/let-s-hope-it-doesn-t-come-to-that-ian-put-in-just-fridge-yourselves/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Just then a word floated out through the buzz saw of Zapata-speak: Nefertari . Dan tuned back in. "...the most beautiful tomb in Egypt,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/just-then-a-word-floated-out-through-the-buzz-saw-of-zapata-speak/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Sure,” Dan said. “He was one smart dude. Get married or go lie on a beach. No contest. Even with the volcano, the dude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/sure-dan-said-he-was-one-smart-dude-get-married-or-go-lie-on-a-beach/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) [Explore all 46 Jude Watson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) ## More 39-clues quotes > [“With Dan you have to listen to his underneath, you know? Not so much what he says.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/with-dan-you-have-to-listen-to-his-underneath-you-know-not-so-much/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Why can't you just lie and cheat like the others?" Dan snapped. "Can't you just see that's better than being nice one minute and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-korman/why-can-t-you-just-lie-and-cheat-like-the-others-dan-snapped-can-t/) [Gordon Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-korman/) > [“Don't have to see," the pilot grunted. " Olga knows the way." "Funny name for an aircraft," Grace commented. "Is it after your wife?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-korman/don-t-have-to-see-the-pilot-grunted-olga-knows-the-way-funny-name-for/) [Gordon Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-korman/) > [“It's four A.M.! Who goes to bed this early!?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hirsch/it-s-four-a-m-who-goes-to-bed-this-early/) [Jeff Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hirsch/) > [“The Bombyx mori caterpillar," her brother supplied, thinking of snack time at the Shaolin Temple. "It tastes like chicken.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-korman/the-bombyx-mori-caterpillar-her-brother-supplied-thinking-of-snack/) [Gordon Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-korman/) > [“Nooooooooooo!" Screaming the word, Amy and Dan moved as one. Time slowed down, which, Dan knew from experience, often happened when you were in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/nooooooooooo-screaming-the-word-amy-and-dan-moved-as-one-time-slowed/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“He looked around at the others…They were all staring at their computers, or reading books or newspapers. Not one of them has noticed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baldacci/he-looked-around-at-the-others-they-were-all-staring-at-their/) [David Baldacci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baldacci/) > [“About f-f-ace!" she said to the horse, flailing with her boots. "Into the barn, please. It's time for some tasty hay! Haaaaaaay! ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lerangis/about-f-f-ace-she-said-to-the-horse-flailing-with-her-boots-into-the/) [Peter Lerangis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lerangis/) > [“Let's head out to the ruins." - Dan Cahill”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-smith/let-s-head-out-to-the-ruins-dan-cahill/) [Roland Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-smith/) > [“Palm trees were fanned by a warm, light breeze, and they rolled down their windows to smell the sea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/palm-trees-were-fanned-by-a-warm-light-breeze-and-they-rolled-down/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Are you taking us to the beach?" - Dan Cahill”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/are-you-taking-us-to-the-beach-dan-cahill/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“Pony eyed the pitcher of hot fudge sauce Nellie had placed on the table. “And if you pass that pitcher, I will reveal a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/pony-eyed-the-pitcher-of-hot-fudge-sauce-nellie-had-placed-on-the/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“People didn’t get nice by accident, did they? They had parents who were nice. Nice to their kids, nice to others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-they-they-had-parents-who-were-2/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“There’s someone in town asking for directions to Bhaile Anois,” she said. “He checked in late last night at the inn.” Any and Dan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/there-s-someone-in-town-asking-for-directions-to-bhaile-anois-she/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [“It looks ancient," - Amy Cahill”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/it-looks-ancient-amy-cahill/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) Browse all 19 39-clues quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“People didn’t get nice by accident, did they? They had parents who were nice. Nice to their kids, nice to others. His parents . . . well, they didn’t understand the concept of “nice.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jude Watson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-they-they-had-parents-who-were/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "39-clues" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-they-they-had-parents-who-were/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/jude-watson-13981_39-clues_people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-t_630431.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/jude-watson-13981_39-clues_people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-t_630431.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/jude-watson-13981_39-clues_people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-t_630431.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People didn’t get nice by accident, did they? They had parents who were nice. Nice to their kids, nice to…” — Jude Watson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jude Watson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“People didn’t get nice by accident,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-they-they-had-parents-who-were/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/people-didn-t-get-nice-by-accident-did-they-they-had-parents-who-were/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```