Essential Etiquette — The Sacred Ritual
The Breath of Becoming — Centering the Self
On Conquering Confusion — Voices Across Time
What density of AMIABILITY is vital in CONQUERING CONFUSION, as a function of efficaciously employing ESSENTIAL ETIQUETTES?
“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world… The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.
W.B. Yeats
Irish poet & playwright
1865 – 1939
“In business we cut each other's throats, but now and then we sit around the same table and behave — for the sake of the ladies.
Aristotle Onassis
Greek shipping magnate
1900 – 1975
“Clarity is the politeness of the man of letters.
Jules Renard
French writer
1864 – 1910
“At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely.
Somerset Maugham
British writer
1874 – 1965
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.
William James
American philosopher & psychologist
1842 – 1910
“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure — try to please everybody.
Herbert Bayard Swope
U.S. journalist
1882 – 1958
“Discretion is the better part of reading people. If you let them know what you know, you will blow any chance of using your own insight effectively.
Mark McCormack
U.S. sports agent & lawyer
1930 – 2003
AS A SOCIAL ANIMAL, your ability to interact well with other people grants you an upper hand in society. By behaving in a manner that shows your good breeding and respect for others, they will reciprocate and hold you in high esteem. Yet be wary of conforming so much to social norms and the expectations of others that you dilute or surrender your authentic individuality.
Each one of us is assigned a role by our community — as elder, mother, healer, chief. Yet we must strike a covenant between our true self and the requirements of society, for to neglect our social selves risks becoming asocial, while complete surrender to one's social image may stifle emotional and intellectual growth.
Ubuntu — I am because we are — is not a call to conformity but to communal flourishing. In the great tapestry of African civilisation, Sociability means playing many roles as the moment demands: adapting to varied situations, knowing when to lead and when to listen, reflecting the cherished images of those we serve — without ever betraying the depths of who we truly are. By taking note of temperaments, honouring traditions, and changing our mood discreetly in accordance with the wisdom of each encounter, we master the ancient art of winning over everyone — for like attracts like.
Essential Etiquette — Defined & Tested
- EEntrenching the intensive love of honour and unleashing the extensive honour of love — the twin pillars of civilised conduct.
- SSocial tact is making your company feel at home, even though you wish they were — the invisible art of gracious hosting.
- SSeeking to do as you would be done by is the surest method of pleasing all, and the golden covenant of every civilisation.
- EEveryone should work for another out of their own will and on terms of a just covenant — service freely given, honour freely received.
- NNurture a positive feeling of altruism and yours will be the Earth and everything in it — the meek inherit through magnanimity.
- TThe power of morals is a call to recognise one's heritage and build a living, breathing sense of community across generations.
- IIf you are gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows you are a true citizen of the world — belonging everywhere because you exclude no one.
- AAudacity in life is important; tactfulness is knowing how far one can go too far — the sacred balance of courage and restraint.
- LLonely, alone, or extremely busy — you have no excuse to drop manners or be impolite; character is revealed under pressure.
- EEven when duty demands difficult acts, it costs nothing to remain humane and polite — dignity is the one currency that never devalues.
- TThink carefully before you utter any word; a human being's word is their covenant with the world — once spoken, it lives forever.
- IIn all situations, no action is in itself good or bad but only such according to its fruits — judge by consequence, not by convention alone.
- QQuench the thirst for success by being punctual; it is the politeness of princes and princesses — time given to another is life given.
- UUnconditionally be true to your Self, and you will never be false to anyone — authenticity is the highest form of courtesy.
- EEtiquette without knowledge is useless; knowledge without etiquette is dangerous — wisdom and grace must walk hand in hand.
- TThere is no politeness in falsehood; you can only be truly polite by telling the truth — love without honesty is flattery, not respect.
- TThe reciprocal civility of a human being is one of the most lovely scenes in the story of life — a dance of mutual recognition.
- EEndeavour to remain plain to the last; always answer for the integrity of your conscience — simplicity of character is a supreme sophistication.