117 Being Civil Quotes

Following is our list of being civil quotations and slogans full of insightful wisdom and perspective about a civil action.

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Famous Being Civil Quotes

Civility costs nothing. — Proverbs

I appreciate people who are civil, whether they mean it or not. I think: Be civil. Do not cherish your opinion over my feelings. There's a vanity to candor that isn't really worth it. Be kind. — Richard Greenberg

Civility does not ...mean the mere outward gentleness of speech cultivated for the occasion, but an inborn gentleness and desire to do the opponent good. — Mahatma Gandhi

Civility costs nothing, and buys everything. - Mary Wortley Montagu

Civility costs nothing, and buys everything. — Mary Wortley Montagu

Civility is not a sign of weakness. — John F. Kennedy

Unfortunately civility is hard to codify or legislate, but you know it when you see it. It's possible to disagree without being disagreeable. — Sandra Day O'Connor

Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few. — Benjamin Disraeli

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives. — Jim Leach

for civilization to survive, the human race has to remain civilized. — Rod Serling

Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness. — Otto von Bismarck

Be civil to all; serviceable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none. — Benjamin Franklin

The ability to engage in reasoned discourse, even when you passionately disagree with someone, is the hallmark of a civilized society. — Bret Weinstein

Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos. — George W. Bush

A civilized man is one who will give a serious answer to a serious question. Civilization itself is a certain sane balance of values. — Ezra Pound

Courtesy is a silver lining around the dark clouds of civilization; it is the best part of refinement and in many ways, an art of heroic beauty in the vast gallery of man's cruelty and baseness. — Bryant H. McGill

Short Being Civil Quotes

  • All of us should banish hateful communications and practice civility for differences of opinion. — Dallin H. Oaks
  • Be modest, be respectful of others, try to understand. — Lakhdar Brahimi
  • Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners. — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
  • The civility which money will purchase, is rarely extended to those who have none. — Charles Dickens
  • The triumph of persuasion over force is the sign of a civilized society. — Mark Skousen
  • Nothing is more noble than politeness, and nothing more ridiculous than ceremony. — Proverbs
  • A wise government knows how to enforce with temper, or to conciliate with dignity. — George Grenville

Top 10 Being Civil Quotes

I prefer the company of animals more than the company of humans. Certainly, a wild animal is cruel. But to be merciless is the privilege of civilized humans. — Sigmund Freud

I believe it to be the duty of everyone to unite in the restoration of the country and the reestablishment of peace and harmony. — Robert E. Lee

There are but two parties now: traitors and patriots. And I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter and, I trust, the stronger party. — Ulysses S. Grant

We want women leaders today as never before. Leaders who are not afraid to be called names and who are willing to go out and fight. I think women can save civilization. Women are persons. — Emily Murphy

Freedom, by definition, is people realizing that they are their own leaders. — Diane Nash

Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization. — Mahatma Gandhi

Ancient Egypt was a Negro Civilization. The history of Black Africa will remain suspended in air and cannot be written correctly until African historians dare to connect it with the history of Egypt. — Cheikh Anta Diop

Let America be America, where equality is in the air we breathe. - Langston Hughes

Let America be America, where equality is in the air we breathe. — Langston Hughes

Remember civil and religious liberty always go together: if the foundation of the one be sapped, the other will fall of course. — Alexander Hamilton

I am quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think vainly, flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done. — John Brown

Being Civil Image Quotes

Now, gentlemen, let tomorrow be their Waterloo! - P. G. T. Beauregard quote

Now, gentlemen, let tomorrow be their Waterloo! — P. G. T. Beauregard

Being civil quote Thousands of tired, never-shaken, over civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the
Thousands of tired, never-shaken, over civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home, that wilderness is a necessity.

A Civil Action Quotes

In the face of an absolutely unprecedented emergency, society has no choice but to take dramatic action to avert a collapse of civilization. Either we will change our ways and build an entirely new kind of global society, or they will be changed for us. — Gro Harlem Brundtland

I am apt to suspect the Negroes to be naturally inferior to the Whites. There scarcely ever was a civilization of their complexion, nor even any individual, eminent either in action or speculation. — David Hume

I think when people talk about civil liberties, they sometimes forget that action taken to protect the citizen against physical violence and physical attack is a blow in favour and not a blow against civil liberties. — John Howard

Being civil quote Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.
Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.

For years now I have heard the word "wait." It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This "wait" has almost always meant "never." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Half a century ago, the amazing courage of Rosa Parks, the visionary leadership of Martin Luther King, and the inspirational actions of the civil rights movement led politicians to write equality into the law and make real the promise of America for all her citizens. — David Cameron

Libel actions, when we look at them in perspective, are an ornament of a civilized society. They have replaced, after all, at least in most cases, a resort to weapons in defense of a reputation. — Henry Anatole Grunwald

Being civil quote I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization.
I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization.

To engage in civil disobedience is to feel the abundance of courage, the gratitude for a democracy that still invites us to speak from our hearts, to act from our conscience and have faith in the consequences of moral action. Abundance is a form of consciousness. — Terry Tempest Williams

Rosa Parks was a woman of strength, conviction, and morality. Her action on December 1, 1955, to defy the law made her a leading figure in our nation's civil rights history. — John Shimkus

A race preserves its vigor so long as it harbors a real contrast between what has been and what may be; and so long as it is nerved by the vigor to adventure beyond the safeties of the past. Without adventure civilization is in full decay. — Alfred North Whitehead

Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men. — Henry David Thoreau

Being Civilized Quotes

Every civilization: Hindu, Buddhist, Confucianist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim, all of them understood that LEARNING was to make a BETTER HUMAN BEING, LEARNING was NOT to MAKE MORE MONEY; It was to make a BETTER HUMAN BEING. — Hamza Yusuf

The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. — John Stuart Mill

It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less — Susan B. Anthony

Being civil quote Laughter ... the most civilized music in the world.
Laughter ... the most civilized music in the world.

Because I'm a civil rights activist, I am also an animal rights activist. Animals and humans suffer and die alike. Violence causes the same pain, the same spilling of blood, the same stench of death, the same arrogant, cruel and vicious taking of life. We shouldn't be a part of it. — Dick Gregory

We must go beyond the arrogance of human rights. We must go beyond the ignorance of civil rights. We must step into the reality of natural rights because all of the natural world has a right to existence and we are only a small part of it. There can be no trade-off. — John Trudell

The President is no more than a well-meaning baboon. I went to the White House directly after tea, where I found "The Original Gorilla", about as intelligent as ever. What a specimen to be at the head of our affairs now. — George B. McClellan

Being civil quote In civilized life, law floats in a sea of ethics.
In civilized life, law floats in a sea of ethics.

The civil rights of none, shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed. — James Madison

If your Bible tells you that gay people ought not be married in your church, don't tell them they can't be married at city hall. Marriage is a civil rite as well a civil right, and we can't let religious bigotry close the door to justice to anyone. — Julian Bond

Civilization as we know it today would be in jeopardy if the Republicans win the Senate. — Nancy Pelosi

Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be condemned. I personally think it is very fine for gay people to be married in civil ceremonies. — Jimmy Carter

Keep It Civil Quotes

The time to guard against corruption and tyranny is before they shall have gotten hold of us. It is better to keep the wolf out of the fold, than to trust to drawing his teeth and talons after he shall have entered. — Thomas Jefferson

You may fly over a land forever; you may bomb it, atomize it, and wipe it clean of life - but if you desire to defend it, protect it,and keep it for civilization, you must do this on the ground, the way the Roman Legions did - by putting your soldiers in the mud. — T. R. Fehrenbach

How idiotic civilization is! Why be given a body if you have to keep it shut up in a case like a rare, rare fiddle? — Katherine Mansfield

Being civil quote Wine is the most civilized thing in the world
Wine is the most civilized thing in the world

Civilization is so hard on the body that some have called it a disease, despite the arts that keep puny bodies alive to a greater average age, and our greater protection from contagious and germ diseases. — G. Stanley Hall

Art is always the index of social vitality, the moving finger that records the destiny of a civilization. A wise statesman should keep an anxious eye on this graph, for it is more significant than a decline in exports or a fall in the value of a nation's currency. — Herbert Read

In yielding we are like the water, by nature placid, conforming to the hollow of the smallest hand; in time, shaping even the mountains to its will. Thus we keep duty and honor. We cherish clan and civilization. We are Chinese. — Bette Lord

Being civil quote There is no civil nor religios law, that has broken, nor can break the bond of fraternity which natu
There is no civil nor religios law, that has broken, nor can break the bond of fraternity which nature has established between men.

... I cannot think a civilization worth having that does not encourage and enable its subjects to spend something, not extorted by governments but freely given to keep wretchedness at least from the streets they walk through day by day. — Freya Stark

There has never been but one question in all civilization-how to keep a few men from saying to many men: You work and earn bread and we will eat it. — Abraham Lincoln

what about Christianity? Are we right in the face of so long a record of its poverty in international achievement, to keep invoking it as a standard, almost synonymous with civilization? — Rose Macaulay

Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time. — Abraham Lincoln

Civilized Behavior Quotes

Aspire to decency. Practice civility toward one another. Admire and emulate ethical behavior wherever you find it. Apply a rigid standard of morality to your lives; and if, periodically, you fail ­ as you surely will adjust your lives, not the standards. — Ted Koppel

Standing up to bullies is the hallmark of a civilized society. — Robert Reich

You cannot take any people, of any color, and exempt them from the requirements of civilization - including work, behavioral standards, personal responsibility, and all the other basic things that the clever intelligentsia disdain - without ruinous consequences to them and to society at large. — Thomas Sowell

Being civil quote We have created a Star Wars civilization with Stone Age emotions, medieval institutions and godlike
We have created a Star Wars civilization with Stone Age emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology.

In civilized communities men's idiosyncrasies are mitigated by the necessity of conforming to certain rules of behavior. Culture is a mask that hides their faces. — W. Somerset Maugham

The Bible tells us to be like God, and then on page after page it describes God as a mass murderer. This may be the single most important key to the political behavior of Western Civilization. — Robert Anton Wilson

When man learns to understand and control his own behavior as well as he is learning to understand and control the behavior of crop plants and domestic animals, he may be justified in believing that he has become civilized. — E. G. Stakman

It seems to me that we have to draw the line in sibling rivalry whenever rivalry goes out of bounds into destructive behavior of aphysical or verbal kind. The principle needs to be this: Whatever the reasons for your feelings you will have to find civilized solutions. — Selma Fraiberg

When man learns to understand and control his own behavior as well as he is learning to understand and control the behavior of crop plants and domestic animals, he may be justified in believing that he has become civilized. — Ayn Rand

We do not consider patriotism desirable if it contradicts civilized behavior. — Friedrich Durrenmatt

The measure of civilized behavior is compassion. — Paul Theroux

People Writing About Being Civil

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Read quotes by Proverbs

Proverbs
quotes on wisdom, friendship and resilience

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Read quotes by Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi
quotes on education, leadership and success

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Read quotes by Mary Wortley Montagu

Mary Wortley Montagu
quotes on love, education and religion

108 447
Read quotes by John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy
quotes on democracy, leadership and change

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Read quotes by Sandra Day O'Connor

Sandra Day O'Connor
quotes on affirmative action

68 669
Read quotes by Benjamin Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli
quotes on leadership, youth and democracy

560 5142

More Being Civil Quotes

I don't know how long it has been since my ear has been free from the roll of a drum. It is the music I sleep by, and I love it.... I shall remain here while anyone remains, and do whatever comes to my hand. I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them. — Clara Barton

If someone needs to express their gender in a way that is different, that is okay, and they should not be denied healthcare. They should not be bullied. They don’t deserve to be victims of violence. … That’s what people need to understand, that it’s okay and that if you are uncomfortable with it, then you need to look at yourself. — Laverne Cox

When a man loves a woman, he has to become worthy of her. The higher her virtue, the more noble her character, the more devoted she is to truth, justice, goodness, the more a man has to aspire to be worthy of her. The history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women. — Fulton J. Sheen

Our youth must be steadfast and take advantage of the benefits of modern civilization. Do not fall prey to idleness for it shall be a curse to you and to succeeding generations. You must set yourselves us as examples of determination and hard work. Plan your time and use both your physical and mental powers purposefully and productively. — Haile Selassie

For centuries, Europeans dominated the African continent. The white man arrogated to himself the right to rule and to be obeyed by the non-white; his mission, he claimed, was to "civilize" Africa. Under this cloak, the Europeans robbed the continent of vast riches and inflicted unimaginable suffering on the African people. — Kwame Nkrumah

Beyond [known peoples of black West Africa] to the south there is no civilization in the proper sense. There are only humans who are closer to dumb animals than to rational beings. They live in thickets and caves, and eat herbs and unprepared grain. They frequently eat each other. They cannot be considered human beings. — Ibn Khaldun

A day will come when the civilized world will deny its God, when the Church will doubt as Peter doubted. She will be tempted to believe that man has become God. In our churches, Christians will search in vain for the red lamp where God awaits them. Like Mary Magdalene, weeping before the empty tomb, they will ask, ‘Where have they taken Him?’ — Pope Pius XII

God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted in any civil state; which enforced uniformity (sooner or later) is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and destruction of millions of souls. — Roger Williams

Civilizations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained. — W. H. Auden

The civility of no race can be perfect whilst another race is degraded. It is a doctrine alike of the oldest and of the newest philosophy, that man is one, and that you cannot injure any member, without a sympathetic injury to all the members — Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are born on the same soil, breathe the same air, live on the same land, and why should we not be brothers and sisters? — Nathan Bedford Forrest

The civilization of the twentieth century cannot be universal except by being a dynamic synthesis of all the cultural values of all civilizations. It will be monstrous unless it is seasoned with the salt of negri-tude, for it will be without the savor of humanity. — Leopold Sedar Senghor

The Civil War defined us as what we are and it opened us to being what we became, good and bad things... It was the crossroads of our being, and it was a hell of a crossroads. — Shelby Foote

It will be all right if it turns out all right. — Ulysses S. Grant

The laws ought to be so framed as to secure the safety of every citizen as much as possible. ... Political liberty does not consist in the notion that a man may do whatever he pleases; liberty is the right to do whatsoever the laws allow. ... The equality of the citizens consists in that they should all be subject to the same laws. — Catherine the Great

I am exceedingly distressed at the proceedings of the Convention-being ... almost sure, they will ... lay the foundation of a Civil War. — Elbridge Gerry

It is an honor to be awarded with such a high rating from an organization as well respected as the NAACP. I am pleased that the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the nation, has recognized my voting record. — Joe Baca

I would say that I'm a nonviolent soldier. In place of weapons of violence, you have to use your mind, your heart, your sense of humor, every faculty available to you...because no one has the right to take the life of another human being. — Joan Baez

I ascribe a basic importance to the phenomenon of language. To speak means to be in a position to use a certain syntax, to grasp the morphology of this or that language, but it means above all to assume a culture, to support the weight of a civilization. — Frantz Fanon

I was in school studying civil engineering. A guy approached me on the street and said that I had a interesting look-very exotic. He told me I should try to be in the industry. — Thuy Trang

Anyone can be a barbarian; it requires a terrible effort to remain a civilized man. — Leonard Woolf

The whole country wants civility. Why don't we have it? It doesn't cost anything. No federal funding, no legislation is involved. One answer is the unwillingness to restrain oneself. Everybody wants other people to be polite to them, but they want the freedom of not having to be polite to others. — Judith Martin

I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution. — Thomas Jefferson

I was reminded as I was reviewing my life, that I have been in too many conflicts, too many wars, political battles, military battles, civil strifes in government. And always one lesson stands out and that is, those whom you fight most passionately often turn out to be your best friends. — Ferdinand Marcos

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