11 Quotes & Sayings By Emily Post

Emily Post was born in 1861 in New York City. She was the eldest of five children to a prominent family of merchants and real estate developers. Her father, John B. Post, Jr., was a founder of the New York Stock Exchange and an influential citizen known as “The Father of Wall Street.” Her mother, Harriot B Read more

Hubbard Post, was also a wealthy woman with an interest in social reform. Emily's grandmother, Mary Eliza Plummer Hubbard, founded the first school for girls in America. After graduating from the Misses Cabot School for Young Ladies in 1877, Emily attended Vassar College where she studied literature and languages.

While there she met the William Waldorf Astor – a wealthy heir to a fur fortune – who would become her husband in 1891. Emily's father died in 1881 when she was only 15 years old. At that time, she inherited most of his fortune, which allowed her to retire from active participation in business affairs.

She turned her attention to social work and became active in various charities including women's suffrage and anti-lynching campaigns. This led to membership on the executive committee of the Women's Suffrage Association led by Carrie Chapman Catt with whom she worked for many years. In addition to her charitable work, Emily took over editing her mother's magazine The Century Magazine after her death in 1897.

Her sister Gertrude married Winthrop Chanler II in 1899 and they lived at 8 East 62nd Street where they maintained an elegant residence is still standing today at the corner of Madison Avenue and 62nd Street. Emily is reported to have said that "I suppose you know that I have just finished my second novel."

1
The most advertised commodity is not always intrinsically the best; but is sometimes merely the product of a company, with plenty of money to spend on advertising. Emily Post
2
The letter we all love to receive is one that carries so much of the writer’s personality that she seems to be sitting beside us, looking at us directly and talking just as she really would, could she have come on a magic carpet, instead of sending her proxy in ink-made characters on mere paper. Emily Post
3
The attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the four S's: Sincerity, Simplicity, Sympathy and Serenity. Emily Post
4
Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory. Emily Post
5
The attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the four S's: Sincerity Simplicity Sympathy and Serenity. Emily Post
6
Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness you have good manners no matter what fork you use. Emily Post
7
To do exactly as your neighbors do is the only sensible rule. Emily Post
8
Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought and not as many of those who worry about their shortcomings believe an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory. Emily Post
9
Nothing is less important than which fork you use. Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything. It is ethics. It is honor. Emily Post
10
Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use. Emily Post