When a society abandons its ideals just because most people can’t live up to them, behavior gets very ugly indeed.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]

“Miss Manners,” syndicated column (1983-12-31)
    (Source)

Collected in Miss Manners' Guide to Rearing Perfect Children, ch. 6 "Collegiate," "Undergraduate Romances" (1984).