I can’t stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action.

The most important of all revolutions, a revolution in sentiments, manners and moral opinions.

No advance in wealth, no softening of manners, no reform or revolution has ever brought human equality a millimeter nearer.

Fine manners need the support of fine manners in others.

Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people’s bad manners.

Of Manners gentle, of Affections mild; In Wit a man; Simplicity, a child.

Becoming a ‚Sir‘ is slightly uncomfortable at first, although it is a considerable honor. It is amazing how quickly you become accustomed to it.

The notion that before you even set out to go to Thailand, you say, ‚I’m not interested,‘ or you’re unwilling to try things that people take so personally and are so proud of and so generous with, I don’t understand that, and I think it’s rude. You’re at Grandma’s house, you eat what Grandma serves you.

There is never vulgarity in a whole truth, however commonplace. It may be unimportant or painful. It cannot be vulgar. Vulgarity is only in concealment of truth, or in affectation.

Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety.

We cannot always oblige; but we can always speak obligingly.

Talk well of the absent whenever you have the opportunity.

At a formal dinner party, the person nearest death should always be seated closest to the bathroom.

To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered.

Will minus intellect constitutes vulgarity.

Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion.

Be sincere; be brief; be seated.

A man’s own manner and character is what most becomes him.

It’s good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling.

The space shuttle was often used as an example of why you shouldn’t even attempt to make something reusable. But one failed experiment does not invalidate the greater goal. If that was the case, we’d never have had the light bulb.

Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.

It is unbecoming for young men to utter maxims.

No person who is well bred, kind and modest is ever offensively plain; all real deformity means want for manners or of heart.

If he invited you out, he’s got to pay.

Women have a certain sexuality, and I think their bodies are beautiful, and I’m not embarrassed to explore that in a film. But there are things you get offered that are vulgar and violent – just like there’s a side of me that’s vulgar and violent.

If you ever see The Rock working out in the gym, don’t think you can just go up and disturb his workout and expect him to take a picture. He’s there to work, so kindly just pass the silverback on by or he’ll rip your face off.

When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite.

My mother always told me it wasn’t polite to ask what people make.

Savages we call them because their manners differ from ours.

House guests should be regarded as perishables: Leave them out too long and they go bad.

What is the appropriate behavior for a man or a woman in the midst of this world, where each person is clinging to his piece of debris? What’s the proper salutation between people as they pass each other in this flood?

A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age.

Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax.

A fit body gives you confidence. And there’s nothing more impressive than a great attitude, which you can wear on your sleeve. But you’ll have to remember the difference between being rude and being confident.

Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.

If someone offers you a breath mint, accept it.

Hostesses who entertain much must make up their parties as ministers make up their cabinets, on grounds other than personal liking.

Although a skillful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you have him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people.

Dinner was made for eating, not for talking.

Good breeding differs, if at all, from high breeding only as it gracefully remembers the rights of others, rather than gracefully insists on its own rights.

The unsaid rule for living in a trailer park is: ‚If the door’s shut, don’t come a-knockin.‘ But if it’s open and you’re walkin‘ by, feel free to say, ‚Hello.‘

I don’t do any vulgar movements.

It’s not a slam at you when people are rude, it’s a slam at the people they’ve met before.

Discretion of speech is more than eloquence, and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words, or in good order.

There is a noble manner of being poor, and who does not know it will never be rich.

The test of a man or woman’s breeding is how they behave in a quarrel.

People who eat with their mouth open should be punched in the face.

I don’t know why they gave me a knighthood – though it’s very nice of them – but I only ever use the title in the U.S. The Americans insist on it and get offended if I don’t.

One lesson you better learn if you want to be in politics is that you never go out on a golf course and beat the President.

It’s a rather rude gesture, but at least it’s clear what you mean.

I hold the door for the ladies – I’m a gent.

A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone’s feelings unintentionally.

A grown man should always carry cash, right? I don’t know who told me, but someone told me that a long time ago, and the biggest turnoff is when a guy doesn’t have cash on him.

Manners require time, and nothing is more vulgar than haste.

Campaign behavior for wives: Always be on time. Do as little talking as humanly possible. Lean back in the parade car so everybody can see the president.

Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others.

The killer app that got the world ready for appliances was the light bulb. So the light bulb is what wired the world. And they weren’t thinking about appliances when they wired the world. They were really thinking about – they weren’t putting electricity into the home. They were putting lighting into the home.

I was so rude when I was a little girl.

Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.

If you are ever in doubt as to whether to kiss a pretty girl, always give her the benefit of the doubt.

Well, they’re Southern people, and if they know you are working at home they think nothing of walking right in for coffee. But they wouldn’t dream of interrupting you at golf.