The Secret of Courtesy

The little things in life have a very great importance. Everything you do affects some person or some circle; even the simple expressions that appear on your face spread over a wider range, like the ripples of water when you throw a stone into it. A phrase we utter without thinking, or a knitting of the brows, may cause a disaster — while courtesy costs no trouble at all, and its value is beyond price.

A friendly smile, or a kind word, or a phrase full of meaning, may lead to a new friendship or a raise in salary, and it adds to the heart's repose. Truly they cost nothing, and yet they cannot be priced. If you stop to reflect, you will see, without a doubt, how many wonders have come your way by means of a kind phrase.

No one denies that the actress Linda Darnell is famous and rich, with beauty in abundance; and here she is, relating an incident that fills her heart with gladness: "He was a man advanced in years. He stepped out from behind a barrier, in front of my car, and I stopped it quickly so as not to strike him. I noticed his pale face as he drew back, muttering: 'I am sorry, madam; I must pay more attention to where I am going.' I asked him where he was headed. Something of bewilderment and grief came over his face, and then he said: 'I don't know. My daughter sent for me, but I have not found her at this address. I am a stranger here and don't know what to do. Take this and read it.' The writing was not clear, but the matter was plain: the man had mistaken the address by exchanging one letter for another, and that had led him to the north street instead of the east. I drove him to where he was bound, and did not dare disturb his quiet as he turned the letter over between his fingers; then I waited until his daughter came out and threw her arms around his neck. The street was near my route, so I was not delayed — but the happiness that filled my heart cannot be priced. Nor is that the end: several days later I received a letter, 'To the girl who drives the yellow car' (it had been left at the garage), in which was written: 'Since we do not know your name, we knew you by the car. We want you to know that your boundless kindness enabled my father to see my mother for the first time in ten years, before she left this world. They had parted many years ago, and when the doctor told me she was at the point of death, I felt how much their meeting one last time would mean, so I sent for him...'" What did the actress buy with those few minutes?

And here is another incident: a lady lost a valuable book, and asked after it in vain. The head of her office learned of it and helped her until she found it; and when she thanked him for his kindness she added: "You are too important to hunt for small things like this." He answered: "No man is too great to lend a helping hand to others."