The School of Life: On Being Nice: A guide to friendship and connection

by The School of Life

Overview

How to reclaim kindness as our greatest human strength.

We’re surrounded by books telling us how to be rich, or thin. This book is different from other self-help books—because it teaches us to be nicer. Niceness might not have the immediate allure of money or fame, but who among us wouldn’t like to be more patient, less irritable, or better listeners? 

 With a gently philosophical tone, this book gives us practical advice on how to forgive, how to reassure, and how to be generous. Being nice isn’t at all the same as being weak, or naive. In fact, niceness is one of the highest planes of human achievement—a super power, and a strength. Niceness deserves to be rediscovered and cultivated, and this book shows you how. Part of a new essential paperback series from The School of Life, covering a range of emotional lessons needed in order to lead fulfilled and happy lives.

• BEING NICER CAN BENEFIT OUR LIVES, often in unexpected ways.
• IN A TIME OF GLOBAL TURMOIL, this book encourages a focus on human kindness and empathy.
• CLASSIC BLACK & WHITE IMAGES throughout.
• PART OF THE NEW PAPERBACK SERIES 'LESSONS FOR LIFE'
• PRACTICAL AND ACCESSIBLE TIPS makes this an easy book to use in everyday life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781915087157
Publisher:	The School of Life
Publication date:	10/04/2022
Series:	Lessons for Life
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	667,050
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

The School of Life is a global organization helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfillment.

The School of Life is a resource for exploring self-knowledge, relationships, work, socializing, finding calm, and enjoying culture through content, community, and conversation. You can find us online, in stores and in welcoming spaces around the world offering classes, events, and one-to-one therapy sessions.

The School of Life is a rapidly growing global brand, with over 7 million YouTube subscribers, 389,000 Facebook followers, 174,000 Instagram followers and 166,000 Twitter followers.

The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Their books share a coherent, curated message that speaks with one voice: calm, reassuring, and sane.

Table of Contents

1 Why We Don't Really Want to Be Nice 9

i The Legacy, of Christianity: Nice but Weak 13

ii The Legacy of Romanticism: Nice but Boring 15

iii The Legacy of Capitalism: Nice but Bankrupt 17

iv The Legacy of Eroticism: Nice but Unsexy 19

2 Kindness 21

i Charity 23

ii The Weakness of Strength 27

iii Losers and Tragic Heroes 31

iv Motives 35

v Suffering and Meanness 41

vi Politeness 45

3 Charm 57

i What Is the Purpose of Friendship? 59

ii The Problem of Over-Friendliness 67

iii How to Overcome Shyness 73

iv Why Affectionate Teasing Is Kind and Necessary 79

v How to Be Warm 83

vi Why Flirting Matters 87

vii Why Kind People Always Lie 93

viii How to Be a Good Listener 99

ix How to Be Open-Minded 105

x How Not to Be Boring 111

xi How to Talk about Yourself 117

xii How Not to Rant 121

xiii The Charm of Vulnerability 125

xiv The Ultimate Test of Your Social Skills 129

Editorial Reviews

Reviews from the hardback edition of On Being Nice:

"Well written, perfect length, very useful insights in topics like friendship and interpersonal relationships. Everyone should read it! It simply makes you more human."

"A lovely introduction to kindness and compassion."

From the Publisher