The pejorative term "political correctness" was adapted to express disapproval of the enlargement of etiquette to cover all people, in spite of this being a principle to which all Americans claim to subscribe.

It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right.

many of the guests will eventually leave the table to watch football on television, which would be a rudeness at any other occasion but is a relief at Thanksgiving and probably the only way to get those people to budge.

A lot of men got upset at the feminist movement because they had all the toys and we wanted some.

Indeed, Miss Manners has come to believe that the basic political division in this country is not between liberals and conservatives but between those who believe that they should have a say in the love lives of strangers and those who do not.

The one prediction that never comes true is, 'You'll thank me for telling you this.

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