Show respect for convention, but remember that conventions are often started by unconventional people. Why do people stand when their national anthems are being played? It probably began with one deeply moved individual; nobody wanted to show disrespect, so everyone followed his example. Why do people stand for the “Hallelujah” chorus in Handel’s Messiah? Because King George of England did so first, and everyone had to do likewise. Most conventions have no intrinsic meaning. Usually it would be making only a foolish statement to rebel against them; they are the lubricant which keeps the machinery of society functioning smoothly. Follow convention, then, to be sociable, but respect it only if reason tells you it serves some good purpose. Ignore conventions that demean any particular social group.

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