Civility Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old civility quotes, civility sayings, and civility proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present. George Washington
Civility sometimes requires polite ruthlessness. Establish that what you prize most is civility. Jimmy Bise Jr
Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos. George W. Bush
When civility is illusory, war is inevitable. Steve Maraboli
Civility is not something that automatically happens. Civil societies come about because people want them to. Jimmy Bise Jr
Civility, politeness, it's like a cement in a society: binds it together. And when we lose it, then I think we all feel lesser and slightly dirty because of it. Jeremy Irons
Civility, it is said, means obeying the unenforceable. Ellen Goodman
There can be no high civility without a deep morality, though it may not always call itself by that name. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Certainly every man can be courteous, for it costs nothing, and is within the ability of all. Nicias Ballard Cooksey
Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts. Madame De Stael
The civility of no race can be perfect whilst another race is degraded. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart. Henry Clay
Civility costs nothing, and buys everything. Mary Wortley Montagu
Civility is a work of the imagination, for it is through the imagination that we render others sufficiently like ourselves for them to become subjects of tolerance and respect, if not always affection. Benjamin Barber
Civility is the natural state for people who know how limited their own individual powers are and know, too, that they need the conversation. David Brooks
Civility is the art and act of caring for others. Deborah King
Courtesy in the world is by no means a false and culpable pretense. It softens rather than dissimulates; and, on the whole, since it deceives nobody, it cannot be accused of falsehood. Madame Swetchine
Aspire to decency. Practice civility toward one another. Admire and emulate ethical behavior wherever you find it. Apply a rigid standard of morality to your lives; and if, periodically, you fail ­ as you surely will ­ adjust your lives, not the standards. Ted Koppel
The civility of the world has reached that pitch that their more moral genius is becoming indispensable, and the quality of this race is to be honored for itself. Ralph Waldo Emerso
The very essence of politeness seems to be to take care by our words and actions we make other people pleased with us as well as with themselves. Jean De La Bruyere
Civility is perhaps a quaint notion but civility in Parliament is something we should always strive to uphold. Jay Weatherill
Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage Theodore Roosevelt
Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use. Emily Post
Civility is not simply about manners. Jim Leach
Civility isn't just some optional value in a multicultural, multistate democratic republic. Civility is the key to civilization. Van Jones
Courtesy is only a thin veneer on the general selfishness. Honoré de Balzac
Civility does not mean the mere outward gentleness of speech cultivated for the occasion, but an inborn gentleness and desire to do the opponent good. Mahatma Gandhi
We have gotten so use to humor being something nasty and offensive that we started to believe that was the only way to get a laugh. John Patrick Hickey
All of civility depends on being able to contain the rage of individuals. Joshua Lederberg
There is a courtesy of the heart; it is allied to love. From its springs the purest courtesy in the outward behavior. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Civility awareness and a common foundation of considerate conduct are crutial to our future, Cindy Ann Peterson
No matter who it is or what you think of them, never rejoice in the pain of others. It lowers you to a level you should not be at. John Patrick Hickey
Courtesy is a debt we all owe to humanity. Nicias Ballard Cooksey
When once the forms of civility are violated, there remains little hope of return to kindness or decency. Samuel Johnson
Be civil to all; serviceable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none. Benjamin Franklin
Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives. Jim Leach
Civility is a charm that attracts the love of all men. George Horne
Civility is not a specific code of behavior as much as it is a call to unrelenting preemptive thought, and steady effort to care about influence on others. John R. Dallas Jr
The civility which money will purchase, is rarely extended to those who have none. Charles Dickens
Civility is not not saying negative or harsh things. It is not the absence of critical analysis. It is the manner in which we are sharing this territorial freedom of political discussion. If our discourse is yelled and screamed and interrupted and patronized, that's uncivil. Richard Dreyfuss
Politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in business P. T. Barnum
Don't ever forget that you're a citizen of this world, and there are things you can do to lift the human spirit, things that are easy, things that are free, things that you can do every day: civility, respect, kindness, character. Aaron Sorkin
We need to create a society in which civility rules over cynicism and apathy Antanas Mockus
I am the eternal optimist. I think that, over time, people respond to civility and rational argument. Barack Obama
The great thing about civility is that it does not require you to agree with or approve of anything. You don't even have to love your neighbor to be civil. You just have to treat your neighbor the same way you would like your neighbor to treat your grandmother, or your child. Barbara Brown Taylor
You ultimately judge the civility of a society not by how it treats the rich, the powerful, the protected, and the highly esteemed, but by how it treats the poor, the disfavored, and the disadvantaged. Bryan Stevenson
Today we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion, and character. George W. Bush
Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion. George Washington
Gratitude is the beginning of civility, of decency and goodness, of a recognition that we cannot afford to be arrogant. We should walk with the knowledge that we will need help every step of the way. Gordon B. Hinckley
I am worn out with civility. I have been talking incessantly all night, and with nothing to say. But with you there may be peace. You will not want to be talked to. Let us have the luxury of silence. Jane Austen
Treating people fairly and with civility is not a bad thing. It would be good for our country if political leaders actually took that to heart. Jeb Bush
So let us begin anew remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. John F. Kennedy
People who expect deference resent mere civility. Mason Cooley
Civility means a great deal more than just being nice to one another. It is complex and encompasses learning how to connect successfully and live well with others, developing thoughtfulness, and fostering effective self-expression and communication. Civility includes courtesy, politeness, mutual respect, fairness, good manners, as well as a matter of good health. Taking an active interest in the well-being of our community and concern for the health of our society is also involved in civility. P. M. Forni
Teaching civility is an obligation of the family. Stephen Carter