COURTESY
Samuel Johnson once said, “To cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life.” Although spoken in the 18th century, his wisdom still glows with the same warmth today. In a world where people rush toward success, many forget the simple strength of gentle speech. Harshness may win arguments, but it rarely wins hearts. A soft word, on the other hand, works like a golden glue—mending, soothing and building bridges where roughness only creates walls.
Courtesy is not just politeness; it is a reflection of inner goodness. As philosopher John Locke observed, gentle words prevent the stubbornness that harsh treatment often creates. When we speak kindly, we soften the bitterness in others, calm storms before they form, and leave behind a trail of goodwill.
Interestingly, truly kind people often carry a youthful glow. We may assume their secret is exercise, clean eating or early sleep. But their real secret is their inner response to life. Kindness brightens their features like a quiet lamp, releasing joy from within. When the heart is soft, the spirit stays young.
Living with courtesy transforms our personality. We become more confident, more capable and more connected. People feel naturally drawn to those who radiate warmth. Friendships deepen, professional relationships become stronger and new opportunities arrive gently, like birds landing on an inviting branch.
When we choose kindness, the universe responds. Answers come to us—sometimes instantly, sometimes gradually—as if our inner reservoir of wisdom has opened. By developing the habit of “looking within,” we learn to trust this quiet source of guidance. Asking with faith never leaves us disappointed.
A simple way to begin is to dedicate just one day to practice courtesy consciously. Smile, thank, pause to help, and look for small chances to brighten someone's path. Confucius once said that good manners are the outer expression of a good heart. In today’s hurried world, even a small gesture—a held door, a patient wait, a gentle tone—can be a rare gift.
Such tiny acts travel far. They stay in minds, soften days, and sometimes even change a life.
Opportunities to be kind appear everywhere—in a word, a glance, a tone, or a touch. Life is not built only on grand achievements but on simple smiles and everyday kindness.
Courtesy enriches the giver as much as the receiver. It polishes the personality, opens doors of understanding, and fills life with a gentle radiance. In social life, these small acts are sparks that warm the world.
Truly, courtesy is the hallmark of a cultured and developed personality—one that shines not through what it owns, but through what it gives.
