Every man has his moral backside which he refrains from showing unless he has to and keeps covered as long as possible with the trousers of decorum. Georg C Lichtenberg, 1742-1799, German scientist and satirist, whose “Lichtenberg figures” created with static electricity led to Xerography. .

    In light of the ongoing consternation about “civil dialog,” here’s another good quote from Maurois: We appreciate frankness from those who like us. Frankness from others is called insolence. Andre Maurois (born Émile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog), 1885-1967, French author, historian, biographer.