A Quote by Henry David Thoreau

A man can suffocate on courtesy.

Henry David Thoreau

Quote Topics

Courtesy Man

Quote Author

Henry David Thoreau
American - Author
July 12, 1817 - May 6, 1862

Courtesy is doing that which nothing under the sun makes you do but human kindness. Courtesy springs from the heart; if the mind prompts the action, there is a reason; if there be a reason, it is not courtesy, for courtesy has no reason. Courtesy is good will, and good will is prompted by the heart full of love to be kind. Only the generous man is truly courteous. He gives freely without a thought of receiving anything in return.

B. C. Forbes

Courtesy is fine and heaven knows we need more and more of it in a rude and frenetic world, but mechanized courtesy is as pallid as Pablum ... in fact, it isn't even courtesy.

Cornelia Otis Skinner

Courtesy should be apparent in all our actions and words and in all aspects of daily life. But be courtesy, I do not mean rigid, cold formality. Courtesy in the truest sense is selfless concern for the welfare and physical and mental comfort of the other person.

Mas Oyama

I encourage courtesy. To accept nothing less than courtesy, and to give nothing less than courtesy. If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And if we have the effrontery to talk to anybody with less than courtesy, we tell ourselves and the world we are not very intelligent.

Maya Angelou

There is a courtesy of the heart; it is allied to love. From its springs the purest courtesy in the outward behavior.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

One difference between savagery and civilization is a little courtesy. There's no telling what a lot of courtesy would do.

Cullen Hightower

Of courtesy, it is much less Than courage of heart or holiness, Yet in my walks it seems to me That the Grace of God is in courtesy.

Hilaire Belloc

I encourage courtesy. To accept nothing less than courtesy, and to give nothing less than courtesy.

Maya Angelou

I'd like to say from the beginning that the 12 years I've been coming here, I've met unfailing courtesy and cooperation, courtesy from your people and cooperation from the Ministry of Information.

Peter Arnett

I was told that karate has a courtesy: 'Start with a bow and end with a bow.' This is something important we value in our lives, because we never forget courtesy and a feeling of gratitude wherever we go.

Moa Kikuchi

A thankful man owes a courtesy ever; the unthankful but when he needs it.

Ben Jonson

My business was great, and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy.

William Shakespeare

No use to preach to the working-man courtesy & politeness when at the same time the working-man is not given working conditions under which he can stay polite and soft-mannered.