JB/015/301/001

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The qualities which Hume introduces as agreeable to others, are
Politeness, Wit, Decency & Cleanliness.

Politeness is more of a negative than a positive quality. It is the avoidance
of actions or behaviour which may be disagreeable to the person with whom
you have to do. Its positive branch is the doing whatever it may be agreeable
to others that you should do. In all cases where the laws of prudence &
benevolence are not opposed to the usages of society, self-interest demands
attention to them. The highest order of politeness is the application of
the rules which are recognized in high life. But here there is mingled
with it so much mendacity, – & that of the most a useless even when not
prominently pernicious character, – that the quality analysis of politeness pleasant must
to be thoroughly sifted made before its good character can be determined.
It easily degenerates into self esteem, & instead of an instrument of
pleasure becomes one of annoyance. Many men intend to communicate
enjoyment, for example by stories, – by excessive attentions, – which and
other efforts, which are the cause of weariness to those whom they really
desire to gratify, Fashion is the competition for admiration – and its vices
begin where annoyances are caused to others for the purposes of
selfishness. In some cases as in the Courts where Etiquette is
is carried farthest, the sacrifice of the many to the one, – of the
comforts of the many to the pride of the one, is striking. Under the
Bourbons at Paris the Tuileries, etiquette required that until the
King sat down to cards every body must stand, however weary. This
was politeness, – this was etiquette – but it was absurdity & folly.

Identifier: | JB/015/301/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 15.
Date_1		Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	015	Main Headings	deontology
Folio number	301	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles
Category	linking material	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	f150
Penner	sir john bowring	Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	5517
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