Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Manners are the happy ways of doing things; each once a stroke of genius or of love, now repeated and hardened into usage
Summary
This quote suggests that manners are not merely arbitrary social customs, but rather the result of thoughtful actions driven by kindness or intelligence. Initially, these actions may have been inspired by a spark of brilliance or a genuine gesture of affection. However, as they are consistently practiced and become habitual, they solidify into established societal norms. Essentially, manners are the manifestation of past moments of brilliance and love, now woven into the fabric of everyday behavior.