“The highest perfection of politeness is only a beautiful edifice, built, from the base to the dome, of ungraceful and gilded forms of charitable and unselfish lying.”
Cite this quote
APA
Twain, M. (n.d.). The highest perfection of politeness is only a beautiful edifice, built, from the base to the dome, of ungraceful and gilded forms of charitable and unselfish lying. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28121-the-highest-perfection-of-politeness-is-only-a/
MLA
Twain, Mark. “The highest perfection of politeness is only a beautiful edifice, built, from the base to the dome, of ungraceful and gilded forms of charitable and unselfish lying.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28121-the-highest-perfection-of-politeness-is-only-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
Chicago
Twain, Mark. “The highest perfection of politeness is only a beautiful edifice, built, from the base to the dome, of ungraceful and gilded forms of charitable and unselfish lying.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28121-the-highest-perfection-of-politeness-is-only-a/.