Good Manners and Human Rights, Pt. 1

Liberty is the right of every one to seek his own happiness in his own chosen way, so long as he does not trespass upon the equal right of every other. The Pursuit of Happiness in every being, consists in its efforts to satisfy its natural desires.

Good Manners Founded on Human Rights 

IT is becoming every day more evident, that all real things on this planet are based on certain principles of right or justice, which are adapted to the true nature and proper condition of all men and women. Arbitrary regulations, whether of manners or morals, are of little value, if they are not in accordance with these universal laws. For every possible requirement there must be some good reason. A law that is not founded in the natural principles of justice, is void from the beginning; or becomes of no effect, or obsolete, as soon as the emergency has passed for which it was ordained.

“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” Mr. Jefferson, are very comprehensive terms; but each includes the others; and each includes all rights. The right to live includes the right to all the conditions necessary to the most perfect development of the being and capabilities. Liberty is the right of every one to seek his own happiness in his own chosen way, so long as he does not trespass upon the equal right of every other. The Pursuit of Happiness in every being, consists in its efforts to satisfy its natural desires.

Every faculty and every organ has its own special rights. The right not to be offended— the right to gratification and pleasure. Take the senses, for example. Taste has the right not to be compelled to eat unsavory food; and the right to seek for gustatory enjoyments. The parent who compels a child to eat a piece of fat pork, or any other viand loathsome to its unperverted taste, violates the rights of this sense. It is violated wherever men are deprived of healthy food, and fruits of delightful flavors. The host who provides good food, and the cook who prepares it, exercise the politeness of taste, and satisfy the rights of appetite.

The smell has its rights, but they are everywhere violated. Whoever fills the air I must breathe with unpleasant odors, is guilty of a wrong. If the smell is merely unpleasant, it is an impoliteness; if unwholesome, it is a crime; and, as a general law, unpleasant odors are also unwholesome. Poor nose! Its rights are little recognized. Our streets are filled with nauseous odors; and the personal uncleanliness of many persons is an outrage to this sense. But of this hereafter.

Sight has a right to beauty, symmetry, and elegance of form; harmony of colors; grace of movement, and every pleasing quality. It has a right to fine scenery, noble architecture, elegant furniture and decorations, to exquisite works of art, and to all possible beauty of person, costume, and adornment. Its rights are denied by deprivation of these enjoyments, and it is outraged by every obtrusion of ugliness.

Hearing has the right to sweet and melodious sounds, and the grand harmonies of musical art: it is offended by noise, confusion, and all harsh, dissonant, and repulsive sounds.

If we suffer, it is probably for our own offences; with what justice, then, can we inflict our evils upon others? If you have a heartache, and any one has contracted to give you sympathy, it is your right, perhaps. You need not trouble the whole world. So if you have a toothache, let it be a private matter between yourself and your doctor or dentist. — From The Illustrated Manual of Good Behavior and Polite Accomplishments, 1855

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