Army Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“No rent-roll nor army-list can dignify skulking and dissimulation: and the first point of courtesy must always be truth, as really all the forms of good-breeding point that way.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self‑Reliance, 1841
Courtesy requires honesty; truth is the foundation of good breeding.
In simple terms: Being truthful is the highest courtesy.
Key Takeaway
Practice honesty in all interactions.
Themes
honesty
courtesy
integrity
Mood
serious
contemplative
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- personal relationships
- public speaking
- media reporting
Key Concepts
Ethics
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you chosen truth over convenience?
- What costs arise from always being honest?
A Different Perspective
Truth can be socially risky.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
