50 Courtesy Quotes Promoting Politeness and Respect

By Norbert Juma | Published August 3, 2023

Finding the most inspiring courtesy quotes might turn out to be a daunting task for some.

If you are one of them, our list of courtesy quotes could be a solution.

You can easily browse through the list and find your favorite quote about courtesy.

Besides, we have also explained the term courtesy and the various aspects associated with it.

If interested, please continue reading!

Courtesy Explained

Courtesy is referred to as a reflection of character and values.

It involves a variety of attitudes and behaviors.

For a courtesy conversation, we say “Thank You” and “Please.”

Courtesy relies on the politeness of the language and patience.

It requires us to treat other people with empathy and kindness.

Respect is given regardless of the status, beliefs, and background of other people.

The Impact of Courtesy

Courtesy promotes politeness, which creates a profound impact on the lives of people around us.

By embracing such values, we can create a harmonious and more positive atmosphere.

Through polite interactions, it is possible to prevent misunderstandings and enhance communication.

Through the expression of polite behavior, one can easily tackle conflicts.

Contrary to aggression or hostility, courtesy helps to treat others with respect.

This can help de-escalate tense situations and allows individuals to open the door to a dialogue.

Promoting Empathy and Respect

Courtesy is the heart of empathy, filled with respect and care.

When we practice politeness, we value honor and demonstrate the dignity of others.

We care for the feelings of others, which leads to a compassionate and inclusive society.

While promoting respect, it is essential to be an active listener.

When we listen to others without judging them, it allows us to care for their emotions and experience.

This helps to strengthen our interaction and connection with the people around us.

Teaching Courtesy

Since we are the custodians of the future, it is imperative to value courtesy and help our young ones learn politeness.

Parents, mentors, and educators play a critical role when in modeling the behaviors of young ones.

This can be done by incorporating the values of kindness and politeness into our curriculum.

In addition, we also need to discuss courtesy in our families.

As a result, we can build the foundation of a society that is based on the following:

Culture Values
Empathy
Respect
Understanding

By valuing courtesy, it is possible to help our kids learn the key aspects of a positive society.

Top 10 Courtesy Quotes

Explore the insights of renowned individuals with these top 10 courtesy quotes.

1. “The grace of God is courtesy.” — Hilaire Belloc

2. “Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.” — William Shakespeare

3. “The greater man, the greater courtesy.” — Alfred Lord Tennyson

4. “He who sows courtesy reaps friendship.” — Saint Basil

5. “Courtesy will be in my heart to give to all.” — Walter Russell

6. “The outward expression of empathy is courtesy.” — Stewart Butterfield

7. “Nothing is gained by not being kind and courteous.” — Neal Adams

8. “Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement.” — James Cash Penney

9. “Kanpurites are courteous hosts, and they know how to honor their guests.” — KK

10. “I pride myself on being courteous to people and trying to fashion good relations.” — John Bercow

Perspectival Courtesy Quotes

Let’s delve into the profound ideas of various persons on the topic of courtesy through a collection of insightful quotes.

11. “Courtesy costs nothing but buys everything.” — Hazrat Ali ibn Abi-Talib

12. “Courtesy is contagious – let’s start an epidemic.” — Evan Esar

13. “Courtesy is a small act, but it packs a mighty wallop.” — Lewis Carroll

14. “Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.” — Theodore Roosevelt

15. “Courtesy is only a thin veneer on the general selfishness.” — Honore De Balzac

16. “Courtesy is one’s own affair, but decency is a debt to life.” — Rex Stout

17. “Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with.” — John Wanamaker

18. “Courtesy goes a long way, but doors are closed to he who is rude and oblivious.” — Dr. Lucas D. Shallua

19. “Courtesy dictates that we offer fellow wizards the opportunity of denying us entry.” — J.K. Rowling

20. “Courtesy is not learned by instinct. Like the other components of respect, courtesy has to be taught and modeled.” — Brian Apollo

Courtesy Quotes On Respect

These courtesy quotes are illustrative of the core virtue of treating people with dignity and respect.

21. “You can demand courtesy, but you have to earn respect.” — Lawrence Goldstone

22. “There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self.” — Henri Frederic Amiel

23. “When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” — Dalai Lama

24. “One of the surprising things in this world is the respect a worthless man has for himself.” — E.W. Howe

25. “It may be a mistake that man, in a state of nature, is more disposed to cruelty than courtesy.” — Mercy Otis Warren

26. “Not only the footwear, also wear the courtesy, respect, and gratitude in your heart while stepping out of the home.” — Rupali Desai

27. “We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

28. “Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.” — Henry Clay

29. “Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.” — Malcolm X

30. “Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.” — Margaret Chase Smith

Profound Courtesy Quotes

These profound courtesy quotes offer profound insights on the subject of courtesy.

31. “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few.” — George Washington

32. “There can be no defense like elaborate courtesy.” — V. Lucas

33. “Life is short, but there is always time for courtesy.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

34. “The small courtesies sweeten life; the greater ennoble it.” — Christian Nestell Bovee

35. “Greatness is so often a courteous synonym for great success.” — Philip Guedalla

36. “Life is a gift, and I try to respond with grace and courtesy.” — Maya Angelou

37. “We count the courtesies accorded us by unpopular people as offenses.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

38. “Nothing is more becoming in a great man than courtesy and forbearance.” — Cicero

39. “Courtesies cannot be borrowed like snow shovels; you must have some of your own.” — John Wanamaker

40. “Certainly every man can be courteous, for it costs nothing, and is within the ability of all.” — Nicias Ballard Cooksey

Courtesy Quotes On Courteous Acts

Brightening others’ days with small acts of kindness is a beautiful and significant thing, and these courtesy quotes help illuminate that.

41. “The first point of courtesy must always be the truth.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

42. “Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.” — Jacques Maritain

43. “No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” — James Allen

44. “If someone comes to your house, you have to be courteous.” — Manoj Kumar

45. “Punctuality is the stern virtue of men of business, and the graceful courtesy of princes.” — Edward Bulwer-Lytton

46. “The three C’s of leadership are Consideration, Caring, and Courtesy. Be polite to everyone.” — Brian Tracy

47. “Loving your child also means respecting him as a person. Treat him with the same courtesy as would a friend.” — Claudia Jones

48. “Charity in various guises is an intruder the poor see often, but courtesy and delicacy are visitants with which they are seldom honored.” — Ouida

49. “A man who opens a door for a woman or gives up his seat for her-even offering to carry something! Those are country manners that never go out of style.” — Andie MacDowell

50. “A true gentleman is one that apologizes anyways, even though he has not offended a lady intentionally. He is in a class all of his own because he knows the value of a woman’s heart.” — Shannon Alder