Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell them. -Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell them.


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This quote is just one of 35 total Oliver Wendell Holmes quotes in our collection. Oliver Wendell Holmes is known for saying 'Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell them.' as well as some of the following quotes.

If I were dying my last words would be: Have faith and pursue the unknown end.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Every pursuit is great when greatly pursued.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Life is painting a picture, not doing a sum.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

There are one-story intellects, two-story intellects, and three-story intellects with skylights. All fact collectors with no aim beyond their facts are one-story men. Two-story men compare reason and generalize, using labors of the fact collectors as well as their own. Three-story men idealize, imagine, and predict. Their best illuminations come from above through the skylight.

Oliver Wendell Holmes