In its natural state, the child tells the literal truth because it is too naive to think of anything else. Blurting out the complete truth is considered adorable in the young, right smack up to the moment that the child says, 'Mommy, is this the fat lady you can't stand?

There are three social classes in America: upper middle class, middle class, and lower middle class.

It is said that dispensing advice is easy. What is difficult is getting anyone to listen to it.

There was no singles problem until singles got so single-minded that they stopped wasting time with anyone ineligible. Before that, it was understood that one of society's main tasks was matchmaking. People with lifelong friendships and ties to local nonprofessional organizations did not have to fear that isolation would accompany retirement, old age, or losing a spouse. Overburdened householders could count on the assistance not only of their own extended families, but of the American tradition of neighborliness.

You don't want to look too chic at a Washington party or people will think you don't have a job worth losing.

Protocol is etiquette with a government expense account.

You do not have to do everything disagreeable that you have a right to do