There are three social classes in America: upper middle class, middle class, and lower middle class.

About Judith Martin

Judith Martin (née Perlman; born September 13, 1938), better known by the pen name Miss Manners, is an American columnist, author, and etiquette authority.

More quotations from Judith Martin

The constant free flow of communication amount us-enabling the free interchange of ideas-forms the very bloodstream of our nation. It keeps the mind and body of our democracy eternally vital, eternally young.

—Judith Martin

communication

We are born charming, fresh and spontaneous and must be civilized before we are fit to participate in society.

—Judith Martin

birth

Let us make a special effort to stop communicating with each other, so we can have some conversation.

—Judith Martin

A general rule of etiquette is that one apologizes for the unfortunate occurrence, but the unthinkable is unmentionable.

—Judith Martin

It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.

—Judith Martin

relationships

More quotations tagged with “class”

Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy, overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who owns hideous clothing.

—Dave Barry

privilege wealth class golf cloths

History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up.

—Voltaire

history change class

A society that gives to one class all the opportunities for leisure and to another all the burdens of work condemns both classes to spiritual sterility.

—Lewis Mumford

society work inequality class leisure sterility

During my second year of nursing school, our professor gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. "Absolutely," the professor said. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

—Joann C. Jones

attention career school class care smile

Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.

—Eugene V. Debs

kinship living soul prison men class better