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If by politeness then is meant goodness, it is appreciated by me as I…

Quote byThomas Eakins · 1844–1916

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to Emily Sartain (16 November 1866), published in The Paris Letters of Thomas Eakins (2009), edited by William Innes Homer.

English (original)

If by politeness then is meant goodness, it is appreciated by me as I trust it always has been, but if it is to mean the string of ceremonies generally used for concealing ill nature, and which have been found necessary to the existence of every society whose members are wanting in self respect and morality, I detest it more than ever.

— Thomas Eakins

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