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About this quote

What does it mean?
Boston offers empty courtesies while committing mistreatment.
In plain terms
They hurt you but give you a towel to clean up.
What can you take from it?
Beware polite mistreatment.

Where it applies

  • city life
  • social interaction
  • workplace

Putting it to work

  • watch actions over words
  • question polite hostility

Questions to consider

  • When have you received empty courtesy?
  • Who harms politely?

Another view

Sometimes kindness follows harm genuinely.

More from James Baldwin

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