Army Quote by Sydney Smith
“Politeness is good nature regulated by good sense.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Spectator, 1815
Politeness is courteous behavior guided by practical judgment rather than mere kindness.
In simple terms: Politeness blends courtesy with sense.
Key Takeaway
Practice courteous common sense.
Themes
civility
social etiquette
judgment
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
ethical
practical
When to use this quote
- workplace interactions
- public service
- daily conversations
Key Concepts
ethics
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- When does politeness become a barrier?
- How can you balance honesty with courtesy?
A Different Perspective
Politeness can be perceived as insincere if overused.
![“Politeness is good only in social relations, because to be polite in literary or academic [matters] would be to be dishonest. Ipinasa mo out of politeness? Our of kwan to the father or...No!” quote by Teodoro A. Agoncillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0a/teodoro-a-agoncillo-18516_politeness_politeness-is-good-only-in-social-relati_550305.jpg)
![“[T]he 47th proposition in Euclid might now be voted down with as much ease as any proposition in politics; and therefore if Lord Hawkesbury hates the abstract truths of science as much as he hates concrete truth in human affairs, now is his time for getting rid of the multiplication table, and…” quote by Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/709/sydney-smith-6523_abstract_t-he-47th-proposition-in-euclid-might-no_463551.jpg)
![“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)
