(i) Why is politeness called as limited part of benevolence?

Question

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Politeness has been well defined as benevolence in trifles. It is the ** to put those whom we meet perfectly at their ease, and save them from every kind of petty discomfort and annoyance. The limited part of benevolence called politeness requires only an inclination to make them happy temporarily, while they are in our presence, and this can be done without any sacrifice on our Part or only with a slight sacrifice of personal comfort.

2. Politeness is said to be one of the important characteristics of a civilised person. Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts. It must be implemented in every walk of life. When we deal with people elder to us we are polite. But, an honest polite person is polite with everyone people of lower status, workers and even ****. Not only with humans but also with animals, we must be polite as they are our helpers.

3. Politeness is a skill. Like any other skill, you can master it with practice. The greatest ***** of politeness is ego. To be a polite person, you have to sacrifice your ego. It is difficult for an egoist to be polite. You have to imply politeness in your thinking, speech and actions. Actions work more than words. Polite actions will give fine results. Politeness will reduce your stress and boost you to be productive. Apart from your present benefits, you protect your future. Being polite makes you mentally healthy. In our daily life we come across many incidents with people nearby and ourselves.

4. Different rules of behaviour have to be observed accordingly, based on whether we are in the street or in the drawing-room, at home or at school, in the company of friends or of strangers. This is also to be considered, the great diversity of social etiquette which distinguishes one country from another.

5. Politeness, besides being a duty that we owe to others, is a valuable possession for ourselves. It costs nothing, and yet may in many cases bring much profit. The great advantage of this excellence of conduct was very clearly expressed by Dr. Johnson, when he said that the difference between a well-bred and an ill- bred man is that one immediately attracts your liking, the other your dislike.

On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following questions.

(i) Why is politeness called as limited part of benevolence?

(ii) List some of the persons we should be polite to?

(iii) Why is it difficult for an egoist to be polite?

(iv) What are the benefits of being polite?

(v) Which rules of behaviour are to be observed?

Answer 1

(i) Politeness is the ** to put those whom we meet perfectly at their ease, and save them from every kind of petty discomfort and annoyance. The limited part of benevolence called politeness requires only an inclination to make them happy temporarily, while they are in our presence.

(ii) People of higher status, people of lower status, workers, **** and also animals.

Detailed Answer:

(ii) We should be polite to each and everyone whom me meet. In fact, an honest person should be polite to people who are elder to us, people of lower status, workers, **** and people of higher status as well. We should even be polite to animals also.

(iii) The greatest ***** of politeness is ego. To be a polite person you have to sacrifice your ego. Egoist cannot be polite. You have to imply politeness in your thinking, speech and actions.

(iv) Polite actions will give fine results. Politeness will reduce your stress and boost you to be productive. Apart from you.r present benefits, you protect your future. Being polite makes you mentally healthy.

(v) Different rules as per the situation tor eg., when we are in street, at school , in our home or with friend.

Detailed Answer:

(v) Different rules of behaviour have to be observed when we are in the street or in the drawing room, when we are at home or at school and when we are in the company of friends or of strangers. These rules differ according to the situation we all in.