Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory.

Manners are made up of trivialities of deportment which can be easily learned if one does not happen to know them; manner is personality - the outward manifestation of one's innate character and attitude toward life.... Etiquette must, if it is to be of more than trifling use, include ethics as well as manners. Certainly what one is, is of far greater importance than what one appears to be.

Whenever two people come together and their behavior affects one another, you have etiquette.

Any child can be taught to be beautifully behaved with no effort greater than quiet patience and perseverance, whereas to break bad habits once they are acquired is a Herculean task.

Elbows are never put on the table while one is eating.

"Keep your hands to yourself!" might almost be put at the head of the first chapter of every book on etiquette.

The fault of bad taste is usually in over-dressing. Quality not effect, is the standard to seek for.