Courtesy

Now here’s a misunderstood virtue.  

Courtesy.

It has come to be synonymous with pointless protocol or manipulative patter designed to delude.  It isn’t any of these things.

Courtesy is simply showing respect for others – even small children and people who have no power or influence.  Respect for their human rights. Their bodily integrity. Their views and opinions.  Their beliefs and ideas. Their homes and possessions.  Their existence.

Like all virtual virtues, virtual courtesy is worthless.  A courteous expression of respect must be just that – an expression of real and genuine respect.

Therefore, to really be courteous we must first have that respect for everybody – and then show it.  Because to be treated with real courtesy is our right, just as to show that courtesy to everyone is our responsibility.

…observe courtesy, for above all it is the prince of virtues…Who is illumined with the light of courtesy…hath indeed attained a sublime station. (1)

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(1) Bahá’u’lláh – Tablet of the World

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3 Comments

  1. Good points.

    I don’t like feigned humility or courtesy . . . I want to know courtesy is from the heart, not from an effort to mislead and manipulate.

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