The Advantage of Courtesy in Life
A COURTEOUS man often succeeds in life, when persons of ability fail. The experience of every man furnishes frequent instances where conciliatory manners have made the fortunes of physicians, lawyers, divines, politicians, merchants, and, indeed, individuals of all pursuits. In being introduced to a stranger, his affability or the reverse creates, instantaneously, a prepossession in his favor, or awakens, unconsciously, a prejudice against him. In fact, civility is to men what a pleasing appearance is to women; it is the general passport to favor—a letter of recommendation written in a language that every person understands. The best of men have often injured themselves by irritability and consequent rudeness; whereas men of inferior abilities have frequently succeeded by their agreeable and pleasing manners. Of two men, equal in all other respects, the courteous one has twice the advantage, and by far the better chance of making his way in the world.