Literary notes about tact (AI summary)
Literature portrays tact as an essential quality that bridges personal charm with social and intellectual delicacy. In many works, tact is not merely a matter of politeness but an artful blend of discernment and sensitivity, as seen when a hostess's careful attention eases her guests [1] or when a gentleman’s discreet handling of delicate situations earns him respect [2]. Some authors emphasize tact as an innate or learned trait indispensable in daily interactions—as much about subtle perception as about knowing when to speak or act [3][4]—while others critique its absence, noting that a lack of tact can mar even the noblest intentions [5][6]. Whether delineated in etiquette manuals [7][8][9] or deployed by literary characters in complex social settings [10][11], tact consistently emerges as a virtue that underpins effective communication and the graceful management of human affairs.
- The greatest tact is displayed where the hostess makes each guest feel perfectly at ease.
— from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley - The General approached and coughed slightly with gentlemanly tact.
— from The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Tales by Bret Harte - It wasn’t genuine tact, but it was tact, of a sort—the sort that is as useful as the genuine, and saves even more situations at Board meetings.
— from Howards End by E. M. Forster - Tact, which I have supposed to be a matter of nice perception, turns out to be a matter of taste.
— from The World I Live In by Helen Keller - Involved with his lack of tact and magnetism there was, too, an admirable quality of sturdy obstinacy that often worked him injury.
— from Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana - But Dana had not the tact, the personal magnetism, or the business sagacity to make a brilliant success before the bar.
— from Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana - 6. Cultivate tact!
— from The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness by Cecil B. Hartley - A quick tact is necessary, too, in conversation.
— from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley - It means not alone perfection of furnishing, of service, of culinary skill, but also of personal charm, of tact.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - Ah, she had hunted him down at last, she thought; and she was right proud, too, of the devious shrewdness and tact which had accomplished it.
— from The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain - Gabriel felt himself guilty of another want of tact.
— from Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
