The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-10-12
Courtesy and Cleanliness as an Element
- OfSuccess.

Good manners have their foundation in
the Golden Rule. Most of the customs
and habits insisted upon in what is
known as good society are not arbitrary
and senseless, but like the laws Of good
government are the out-growth of necess-
ity in protecting individual rights, and
maintaining agreeable social intercourse /;
and such as have been proven to be
reasonable and Just. 1t is q mistake TO
suppose that brilliant talents, unusual
requirements, money, social or official
position will excuse boorish manners,
slovenly habits, or furnish immunity
from the obligations of politeness, and
of making ones person and manners
agreeable. These will-only make more
prominent and glaring any deficiency in
what is called "home training" and
impose greater responsibility in the way
of personal presence and example.
Where much has been given more Is
required. No man can be just as vel
come q guest who considers his time too
precious for him to pause at the door
mat and scrsper; or who does not make
his toilet in the privacy Of his rooms or
who neglects to make it at all. There
is middle ground, long and wide, be-
tween q boor and one who is over obse-
quious and burdensome in efforts to be
polite. Good manners learned early and
used cften enough to become habitual
are never awkward and conspicuous as
when put on and off, like q uniform for
occasions of promenade. Delicately
proHered and Thoughtful consideration
for the comfort, the happiness or the
rights of others, the spirit Of unselfsh-
ness, and the expression of politeness,
is o great lubricator in the complex
machinery of social and domestic life
Habitual courtesy is refining in its tend
encies, and no one can practice the
amenities common among well-bred
people without good results to character.
In business relations, too, he is best fit
ted for success who is obliging, good
natured. and respectful, not only to his
equals and superiors, but as conscten'
tiously regardful Of the feelings and rights
of these less fortunate. Personal neat
ness and refinement have so much TO dc
| in the estimate of character, and ultimate
| ly in individual success, that more than
physical considerations are imperiled
when the bathroom is neglected and the
barber ignored. More than one young
person otherwise well enough endowed
have missed their golden opportunity in
life because they underrated the import
ance Of these little things which after
all are true index and make or mar the
happiness as well as determine the
qualities Of mind. There is garruluous-
ness in business or social intercourse
that is eisagreeable; but the opposite
course OF surly, short, and evasive, ,unsat-
isfactory replies to civil questions is to
the last degree impolite, and unprofita-
BILE. Such treatment from q salesman to
9 customer brings it's own Legitimate
reward, it is fatal to success. The men
who have retained business situations
longest, and have grown up from subor-
dinates into proprietors, are those who
have studied the likes and prejudices of
human nature, and have learned how to
humor them; how to make themselves
agreeable, and how to inspire confidence,
by genuine sincerity and the disposition
TO oblige.