Rules of Civility

by Amor Towles

It was as if America launched the Depression just to teach Manhattan a lesson.

He had that certain confidence in his bearing, that democratic interest in his surroundings, and that understated presumption of friendliness that are only found in young men who have been raised in the company of money and manners. It didn’t occur to people like this that they might be unwelcome in a new environment—and as a result, they rarely were.

Which is just to say, be careful when choosing what you’re proud of—because the world has every intention of using it against you.

Maybe the first winds of winter make everyone a little nostalgic for the days they’re lucky to be rid of.

For better or worse, there are few things so disarming as one who laughs well at her own expense.

He always looked his best, I thought to myself, when circumstances called for him to be a boy and a man at the same time.

Maybe that sounds bleaker than I intended.