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Chapter 27—Deportment
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.
Cheerfulness and courtesy should be cultivated especially by
parents 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 attitude. 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
etiquette. Propriety of deportment is at all times to be observed.
Wherever principle is not compromised, consideration of others
will lead to compliance 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 personhood, a regard
for every member of the great human family.
There is danger of placing too high a value on mere manner and
form, and devoting too much time to education in these lines. The
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life of strenuous effort demanded of every young person, the hard,
often 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 emphasis on etiquette show little respect
for anything, however excellent, that fails to meet their artificial
standard. This is false education. It fosters critical pride and narrow
exclusiveness.
The essence of true politeness is consideration for others. The
essential, enduring education is that which broadens the sympathies
and encourages universal kindliness. That so-called culture which
does not make young people deferential toward their parents, ap-
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