--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Formalized rules of manners were so great…" description: "\"Formalized rules of manners were so great because they left no room for basic human haplessness. They allowed us to circumvent our natural boorish tend..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b85/lynn-coady-5173_feelings_formalized-rules-of-manners-were-so-grea_2119538.jpg" --- # Formalized rules of manners were so great because they… ![“Formalized rules of manners were so great because they left no room for basic human haplessness. They allowed us to circumvent our natural boorish tendency to disregard the feelings of others.” quote by Lynn Coady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b85/lynn-coady-5173_feelings_formalized-rules-of-manners-were-so-grea_2119538.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b85/lynn-coady-5173_feelings_formalized-rules-of-manners-were-so-grea_2119538.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b85/lynn-coady-5173_feelings_formalized-rules-of-manners-were-so-grea_2119538.jpg) > “Formalized rules of manners were so great because they left no room for basic human haplessness. They allowed us to circumvent our natural boorish tendency to disregard the feelings of others.” [Lynn Coady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-coady/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rigid manners mask human imperfections, allowing people to ignore basic empathy. **In simple terms:** Strict rules hide our flaws. Key Takeaway Balance etiquette with genuine care. Themes empathy social norms human nature manners Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - workplace interactions - family gatherings - public service - online communication Key Concepts social psychology ethical behavior civility Questions to Reflect On - When do rules hinder kindness? - How can we show empathy within etiquette? A Different Perspective Overly formal rules can suppress authentic emotional expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners/) [Rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules/) ## Related quotes > [It is one of Miss Manners's great discoveries that one needn't contradict others in order to set them straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-martin/it-is-one-of-miss-manners-s-great-discoveries-that-one-needn-t/) [Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-martin/) > [It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meaning-comes-from-humans-not-from/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Politics has rough manners, but it is a very useful thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-crick/politics-has-rough-manners-but-it-is-a-very-useful-thing/) [Bernard Crick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-crick/) > [“...the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/the-pleasantness-of-an-employment-does-not-always-evince-its-propriety/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [One man lies in his words, and gets a bad reputation; another in his manners, and enjoys a good one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/one-man-lies-in-his-words-and-gets-a-bad-reputation-another-in-his/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I have been missing the point. 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For example, we spoke English at home, had afternoon tea every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kwan/my-grandparents-were-far-more-english-in-their-manners-than-they-were/) [Kevin Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kwan/) > [Your idea of fidelity is not having more than one man in bed at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-raphael/your-idea-of-fidelity-is-not-having-more-than-one-man-in-bed-at-the/) [Frederic Raphael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-raphael/) > [Good manners are not bred in moments, but in years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-mcnair-wright/good-manners-are-not-bred-in-moments-but-in-years/) [Julia McNair Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-mcnair-wright/) ## More by Lynn Coady > [“Then there are the other days, when nothing is enough. The poem grins. It grins because it knows it is a terrible poem. 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Yeah, filtering is often an absolute necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-coady/filtering-can-be-a-very-good-thing-when-it-comes-to-human/) [Lynn Coady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-coady/) > [I don't even like to cry in private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-coady/i-don-t-even-like-to-cry-in-private/) [Lynn Coady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-coady/) > [I know what the Giller nominee effect is, but we'll see what the next level is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-coady/i-know-what-the-giller-nominee-effect-is-but-we-ll-see-what-the-next/) [Lynn Coady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-coady/) > [Dating, like almost every other male-female interaction in present-day society, is based on outmoded and unequal social roles and expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-coady/dating-like-almost-every-other-male-female-interaction-in-present-day/) [Lynn Coady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-coady/) > [It's the typical mid-life crisis kind of thing, where you just stop and wonder, 'Should I go back to university and get a law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-coady/it-s-the-typical-mid-life-crisis-kind-of-thing-where-you-just-stop/) [Lynn Coady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-coady/) [Explore all 103 Lynn Coady quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-coady/) ## More Feelings quotes > [I have a strong feeling about this quick movement and changing of society and populations growing - something scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroshi-sugimoto/i-have-a-strong-feeling-about-this-quick-movement-and-changing-of/) [Hiroshi Sugimoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroshi-sugimoto/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. 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