Politeness

Use in the book

The blunting-cover image makes politeness wrap rough edges so they will not wound. Its function is not necessarily to remove all underlying roughness. The account of law gives polite ceremonies a role in satisfying vanity and bounds that passion partly through wanting to be regarded as polite. Yet one can also be a pedant of politeness, displaying and seeming to teach what one does not understand. The contrast is between protective practice and conspicuous performance.

Places to read

1. I, p. 113, entry 6, ¶1A covering image protects others from rough character.
2. I, p. 462, entry 4, ¶1Ceremonies give vanity a socially managed expression.
3. II, p. 803, entry 1, ¶1Pedantry can imitate the display of politeness.

Translation in this edition

The English translation gives “blunting cover” for émoussoir without identifying an unsupported historical implement. It preserves the distinction between paternal and inward power in the law passage and the verbal sequence teaches/displays/does not understand in the pedant definition.

Complaisance

French: complaisance.

Complaisance becomes obligingness in the English translation, one of the dispositions that make living and conversing together easier. The neighboring condescendance also has a period sense of accommodating others. The passage condemns a kind of mind that prevents being both lovable and loving, preserving that passive/active distinction.

Places to read: II, p. 769, entry 11, ¶1.