--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man has no more right to say an uncivil…" description: "\"A man has no more right to say an uncivil thing than to act one; no more right to say a rude thing to another than to knock him down.\" — Samuel Johnson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/samuel-johnson-50_men_a-man-has-no-more-right-to-say-an-uncivi_2978600.png" --- # A man has no more right to say an uncivil thing than to… ![“A man has no more right to say an uncivil thing than to act one; no more right to say a rude thing to another than to knock him down.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/samuel-johnson-50_men_a-man-has-no-more-right-to-say-an-uncivi_2978600.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/samuel-johnson-50_men_a-man-has-no-more-right-to-say-an-uncivi_2978600.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/samuel-johnson-50_men_a-man-has-no-more-right-to-say-an-uncivi_2978600.png) > “A man has no more right to say an uncivil thing than to act one; no more right to say a rude thing to another than to knock him down.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. One should not speak uncivilly unless they are prepared to act similarly; speech and action share moral responsibility. **In simple terms:** Words and deeds share the same moral standard. Key Takeaway Speak kindly, act kindly. Themes ethics speech behavior responsibility Mood thoughtful critical Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - conflict resolution - personal conduct Key Concepts moral philosophy social conduct Questions to Reflect On - Is it fair to limit speech based on potential actions? - How can we encourage civil discourse? A Different Perspective People may argue free speech protects harsh words. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Rude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rude/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing is more silly than the pleasure some people take in "speaking their minds." A man of this make will say a rude thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-steele/nothing-is-more-silly-than-the-pleasure-some-people-take-in-speaking/) [Richard Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-steele/) > [I am rubber and you are glue. Are you aware that every f\*cking rude thing you say bounces off me and sticks to you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-rubber-and-you-are-glue-are-you-aware-that-every-f-cking-rude/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The stories I want to tell are when we're our own heroes and our own enemies, and I don't think that's a rude thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-williams/the-stories-i-want-to-tell-are-when-we-re-our-own-heroes-and-our-own/) [Jessica Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-williams/) > [It's volatile, the marriage. Which one isn't? Nothing better than a good, full-on row. Get it all out. Say rude and nasty things. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lydon/it-s-volatile-the-marriage-which-one-isn-t-nothing-better-than-a-good/) [John Lydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lydon/) > [She say rude. Tough she tough hard she hard a no soft she soft puff she puff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-uhuru/she-say-rude-tough-she-tough-hard-she-hard-a-no-soft-she-soft-puff/) [Black Uhuru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-uhuru/) > [Normally, at a debate or a town hall, I would be quick to say to someone, 'That was rude,' or, 'We're going to try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-tapper/normally-at-a-debate-or-a-town-hall-i-would-be-quick-to-say-to/) [Jake Tapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-tapper/) > [Learn to say No—and to be rude about it when necessary. Otherwise you will not have time to carry out your duty, or to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/learn-to-say-no-and-to-be-rude-about-it-when-necessary-otherwise-you/) [Robert A. 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