Chapter 27—Deportment
“Love...doth not behave itself unseemly.”
The value of courtesy is too little appreciated. Many who are kind
at heart lack kindliness of manner. Many who command respect by
their sincerity and uprightness are sadly deficient in geniality. This
lack mars their own happiness and detracts from their service to others.
Many of life’s sweetest and most helpful experiences are, often for
mere want of thought, sacrificed by the uncourteous.
Cheerfulness and courtesy should especially be cultivated by par-
ents and teachers. All may possess a cheerful countenance, a gentle
voice, a courteous manner, and these are elements of power. Children
are attracted by a cheerful, sunny demeanor. Show them kindness and
courtesy, and they will manifest the same spirit toward you and toward
one another.
True courtesy is not learned by the mere practice of rules of eti-
quette. Propriety of deportment is at all times to be observed; wherever
principle is not compromised, consideration of others will lead to com-
pliance with accepted customs; but true courtesy requires no sacrifice
of principle to conventionality. It ignores caste. It teaches self-respect,
respect for the dignity of man as man, a regard for every member of
the great human brotherhood.
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There is danger of placing too high a value upon mere manner
and form, and devoting too much time to education in these lines.
The life is strenuous effort demanded of every youth, the hard, of-
ten uncongenial work required even for life’s ordinary duties, and
much more for lightening the world’s heavy burden of ignorance and
wretchedness—these give little place for conventionalities.
Many who lay great stress upon etiquette show little respect for
anything, however excellent, that fails of meeting their artificial stan-
dard. This is false education. It fosters critical pride and narrow
exclusiveness.
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