the veneer of civilization is exceedingly thin

He accomplished wonders of diplomacy on the principle, never give way, and never give offense.

You didn't find any trace of her?" asked d'Arnot. // Tarzan shook his head. "None. In the jungle, I could have found her; but here –-here, in civilization, a man cannot even find himself.

When suave politeness, tempering bigot zeal, corrected ''I believe'' to ''One does feel.''

There can be no high civility without a deep morality

The true test of civilization is, not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops, but the kind of man that the country turns out.