Our lives are built one small brick at a time, ordinary day by ordinary day. With each little expression of thoughtfulness we create something of immense significance—character, both our own and that of others." So says author Donald McCullough, an ordained minister and president of San Francisco Theological Seminary, in Say Please, Say Thank You (Putnam). It is a witty, wise, and sometimes daring book (do you really want your teenager hearing McCullough's counsel to "Tell white lies"?). The proverbial insights start in the chapter titles for the Table of Contents, reprinted here. Read them, and take their wisdom to heart. That is, please read them—and thank you.

01. Say Please: Respecting the freedom of others

02. Say Thank You: Acknowledging dependence on others

03. Tell White Lies (Occasionally): Protecting from unnecessary hurt

04. Don'g Let Your Fingers Do the Talking: Curbing the violence within

05. Don't Show Up at the Wedding in a Baseball Cap: Showing respect with what you wear

06. Don't Be Late: Guarding the time of others

07. Respondez, S'il Vous Plait: Being considerate of others' plans

08. Wait Until Everyone Is Served Before You Pick Up a Fork: Observing the social significance of meals

09. Keep Your Feet Off the Coffee Table: Valuing the property of others

10. Keep Your Bumper Off My Tailpipe: Waiting your turn

11. Hold Your Wind: Trying not to offend with bodily grossness

12. Pay What You Owe: Rendering others their due

13. Keep Your Hands to Yourself: Acknowledging sexual boundaries

14. Be Quiet in Church: Cultivating a sense of reverence

15. Don't Wear Red to a Chinese Funeral: Honoring our differences

16. Apologize When You've Blown It: Accepting responsibility for your failures

17. Use Nice Stationery: Attending ...