When a society abandons its ideals just because most people can't live up to them, behavior gets very ugly indeed.

Quote by Judith Martin

Topics: Judith Martin Quotes

Honesty has come to mean the privilege of insulting you to your face without expecting...

Honesty has come to mean the privilege of insulting you to your face without expecting...

Hypocrisy is not generally a social sin, but a virtue.

Hypocrisy is not generally a social sin, but a virtue.

If written directions alone would suffice, libraries wouldn't need to have the rest of the...

If written directions alone would suffice, libraries wouldn't need to have the rest of the...

Chaperons don't enforce morality; they force immorality to be discreet.

Chaperons don't enforce morality; they force immorality to be discreet.

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

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

We already know that anonymous letters are despicable. In etiquette, as well as in law,...

We already know that anonymous letters are despicable. In etiquette, as well as in law,...

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

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

Most people who work at home find they do not have the benefit of receptionists...

Most people who work at home find they do not have the benefit of receptionists...

We are all born charming, fresh, and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are...

We are all born charming, fresh, and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are...

Many people mistakenly think a new technology cancels out an old one.

Many people mistakenly think a new technology cancels out an old one.

We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit...

We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit...

Chaperons, even in their days of glory, were almost never able to enforce morality; what...

Chaperons, even in their days of glory, were almost never able to enforce morality; what...

You glance at an e-mail. You give more attention to a real letter.

You glance at an e-mail. You give more attention to a real letter.

Indeed, Miss Manners has come to believe that the basic political division in this country...

Indeed, Miss Manners has come to believe that the basic political division in this country...

It's far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.

It's far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.