Quotes about Formality
The greatest politeness is free of all formality. Perfect conduct Is free of concern. Perfect wisdom is unplanned. Perfect love is without demonstrations. Perfect sincerity offers No guarantee.
— Thomas Merton
A group of men in evening clothes looks like a flock of crows, and is just about as inspiring.
— Mark Twain
As for Men-of-War, when they chance to meet at sea, they first go through such a string of silly bowings and scrapings, such a ducking of ensigns, that there does not seem to be much right-down hearty good-will and brotherly love about it at all. As
— Herman Melville
Woe unto thee if after all thy profession thou shouldst be found under the power of ignorance, lost in formality, drowned in earthly-mindedness, envenomed with malice, exalted in an opinion of thine own righteousness, leavened with hypocrisy and carnal ends in God's service.
— Joseph Alleine
It isn't etiquette to cut anyone you've been introduced to. Remove the joint!
— Lewis Carroll