A collection of quotes and thoughts by Judith Martin on dating, affection, etiquette, eating, food, romance, kindness, vagueness, humor, manners and teenagers.
10 Motivational Quotes By Judith Martin For The Customary Code Of Polite Behavior
Quick Facts
Famous As
Economist, Journalist
Judith Martin, popularly known by her pseudonym Miss Manners, is an American author, journalist and etiquette authority, famous for scripting the ‘Miss Manners’ series of novels. These etiquette tips and advices were published in form of newspaper columns, short-stories and essays. Her tips were vastly popular due to itheir simplicity which provided behavioral guidelines in layman’s language. Some of the noted collections of her work include ‘Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior’, ‘Miss Manners on Weddings’ and ‘Miss Manners: A Citizen's Guide to Civility’. Apart from the ‘Miss Manners’ series, her other important works include ‘Style and Substance’, ‘No Vulgar Hotel: The Desire and Pursuit of Venice’ and ‘Gilbert’. In 2005, Martins received the ‘National Humanities Medal’ from President George W. Bush. Martin is also an active contributor for ‘wowOwow’, which is a famous website for women where they can chit chat, gossip and talk about politics and culture. Here are some of most popular quotes from this living legend who gave us the “Heavy etiquette theory”, highlighting her thoughts on issues pertaining to responsibility, formality, rules, politeness and grace. Take a look at the most notable quotations and sayings by Judith Martin.
If you can't be kind, at least be vague.
- Judith Martin
The invention of the teenager was a mistake. Once you identify a period of life in which people get to stay out late but don't have to pay taxes - naturally, no one wants to live any other way.
- Judith Martin
Charming villains have always had a decided social advantage over well-meaning people who chew with their mouths open.
- Judith Martin
It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.
- Judith Martin
When virtues are pointed out first, flaws seem less insurmountable.
- Judith Martin
It is, indeed, a trial to maintain the virtue of humility when one can't help being right.
- Judith Martin![]()
We are all born rude. No infant has ever appeared yet with the grace to understand how inconsiderate it is to disturb others in the middle of the night.
- Common Courtesy: In Which Miss Manners Solves the Problem That Baffled Mr. Jefferson, Judith Martin![]()
We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.
- Judith Martin![]()
A small wedding is not necessarily one to which very few people are invited. It is one to which the person you are addressing is not invited.
- Miss Manners on Painfully Proper Weddings, Judith Martin![]()
Eating grapes with a knife and fork is not what one would call refined. It is what one would call ludicrous.
- Judith Martin
