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POLITENESS.


1. BEAUTIFUL BEHAVIOR.--Politeness has been described as the art of
showing, by external signs, the internal regard we have for others.
But one may be perfectly polite to another without necessarily paying
a special regard for him. Good manners are neither more nor less than
beautiful behavior. It has been well said that "a beautiful form is
better than a beautiful face, and a beautiful behavior is better
than a beautiful form; it gives a higher pleasure than statues or
pictures--it is the finest of the fine arts."

2. TRUE POLITENESS.--The truest politeness comes of sincerity. It must
be the outcome of the heart, or it will make no lasting impression;
for no amount of polish can dispense with truthfulness. The natural
character must be allowed to appear, freed of its angularities and
asperities. Though politeness, in its best form, should resemble
water--"best when clearest, most simple, and without taste"--yet
genius in a man will always cover many defects of manner, and much
will be excused to the strong and the original. Without genuineness
and individuality, human life would lose much of its interest and
variety, as well as its manliness and robustness of character.

3. PERSONALITY OF OTHERS.--True politeness especially exhibits itself
in regard for the personality of others. A man will respect the
individuality of another if he wishes to be respected himself. He will
have due regard for his views and opinions, even though they differ