Politeness is requisite to keep up the relish of life, and procure us
that affection and esteem which every man who has a sense of it must
desire. The established maxims of politeness are little less than
good-nature, polished and beautified by art; they teach a person to
behave with deference towards every body, in all the common incidents of
society; and particularly so whenever a person’s situation may naturally
beget any disagreeable peculiarity in him. Thus, old men know their
infirmities, and naturally dread contempt from the young; hence, well
educated youths redouble the instances of respect towards their elders.
Strangers and foreigners appear to be without protection; hence, in all
polite companies, they receive the first marks of civility.
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