Graham, Harry -- “Politeness”

Dave — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 22:25:21 +0000

Be civil, then, to young and old,
Especially to persons who
Possess a quantity of gold
Which they might leave to you.
The more they have, it seems to me,
The more polite you ought to be.

Harry Graham (1874–1936) English journalist, poet, stage lyricist
“Politeness”

Eldridge, Paul -- Essay (1948-08), “Lanterns in the Night,” Maxim 41, The Jewish Forum

Dave — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:03:01 +0000

A man’s character is most evident by how he treats those who are not in a position either to retaliate or reciprocate.

Paul Eldridge (1888–1982) American educator, novelist, poet
Essay (1948-08), “Lanterns in the Night,” Maxim 41, The Jewish Forum
(Source)

Restated by Eldridge in Maxims for a Modern Man, #1198 (1965): "A man is most accurately judged by how he treats those who are not in a position either to retaliate or to reciprocate."

The same sentiment was also made by or attributed to Lyman Beecher, Brian Tracy, Ann Landers, Abigail Van Buren, Malcolm Forbes, James Miles, and (without any reference found) Thomas Carlyle, Goethe and Samuel Johnson. A more convoluted version can be found in the 19th Century by Charles Spurgeon.

More examination of this quotation:

WIST Quotations

Graham, Harry -- “Politeness”

Eldridge, Paul -- Essay (1948-08), “Lanterns in the Night,” Maxim 41, The Jewish Forum