Welcome to the Inspirational Living podcast.

Today's reading has been edited and adapted from the book Hints on Common Politeness by D. C. Colesworthy, published in 1867.

We have fallen on singular times. Who has any true regard for the rights of their neighbor?

Where can a really polite person be found?

If we do not actually spit in the faces of our friends,

we are every day of our lives,

guilty of numberless, thoughtless, and uncivil acts that greatly

displease and annoy them. Your own pleasure, convenience, and interest should not be taken

into consideration when they conflict with the duties you owe your neighbors and society at large.

It is a glorious privilege to sacrifice our own selfish interests

if thereby we can promote the well-being of others

and scatter widely and profusely the blessings of life.

By offering these few hints that follow, I hope to contribute to the welfare and happiness

of my fellow citizens, and scatter more bountifully the sunshine and warmth that spring from

elevated affections and singular politeness.

It is not polite to fret and scold at the petty annoyances of life.

It is not polite to use harsh language when speaking to another person of their faults, however aggravating you may think they be.

It is not polite to seek opportunities for revenge.

To forgive and to forget is the true doctrine.

It is not polite to get unnecessarily excited and angry. and to forget is the true doctrine.

It is not polite to get unnecessarily excited and angry, whatever the provocation may be.

It is not polite to pass a relative or an acquaintance without acknowledging them.

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