Mastodawn

One ov the most perfekt viktorys yu kan achieve over enny man, iz to beat him in politeness.

[One of the most perfect victories you can achieve over any man, is to beat him in politeness.]

Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Josh Billings’ Farmer’s Allminax, 1875-07 “2 Fakts” (1875 ed.)

More info about this quote: wist.info/billings-josh/79740/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #joshbillings #competition #contest #gentility #politeness #victory

Josh Billings' Farmer's Allminax, 1875-07 "2 Fakts" (1875 ed.) - Billings, Josh | WIST Quotations

One ov the most perfekt viktorys yu kan achieve over enny man, iz to beat him in politeness. [One of the most perfect victories you can achieve over any man, is to beat him in politeness.]

WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations Has Moved!Oct 6

A quotation from Judith Martin

People are always saying to me, “Don’t you want to go back in time?” To where? Prefeminism? Not very much, no.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
Interview (1997-03), “She Says: Miss Manners,” by Sandy Fernández, Ms magazine, Vol. 7, No. 5 (1997-03/04)

More info about this quote: wist.info/martin-judith/79505/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #judithmartin #missmanners #bygoneage #feminism #gentility #nostalgia #past #regress #sexism #womensrights #equalrights

WIST Quotations Has Moved!Apr 7, 2025

A quotation from Judith Martin

If you can’t be kind, at least be vague.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
“Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1982-08-28)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/martin-judith/2703/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #missmanners #ambiguity #courtesy #discretion #equivocation #gentility #kindness #mildness #vagueness

"Miss Manners," syndicated column (1982-08-28) - Martin, Judith | WIST Quotations

If you can't be kind, at least be vague. Widely cited as a Miss Manners quotation, this is actually the headline given in at least some outlets (e.g., The Washington Post) for this date's column (which may or may not have been the title suggested by the column itself). The…

WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations Has Moved!Jan 24, 2025

A quotation from Robert Louis Stevenson

Gentleness and cheerfulness, these come before all morality; they are the perfect duties.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) Scottish essayist, novelist, poet
Essay (1888-12), “A Christmas Sermon,” sec. 2, Scribner’s Magazine, Vol. 4

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/stevenson-robert-lou…

#quote #quotes #quotation #cheer #cheerfulness #duty #gentility #gentleness #kindness #morality

Essay (1888-12), "A Christmas Sermon," sec. 2, Scribner's Magazine, Vol. 4 - Stevenson, Robert Louis | WIST Quotations

Gentleness and cheerfulness, these come before all morality; they are the perfect duties. In context, Stevenson is using "morality" in terms of legalistic religion. Originally written in the winter of 1887-88. Collected in Across the Plains, ch. 12 (1892).

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Gerald So Jul 10, 2023

I suppose the concept of never wishing anyone ill is #Gentility or #Superstition. I have a different motive. I say why spend time and energy wishing anyone ill when I can spend that time and energy doing anything I'd prefer?