Punctuality is the politeness of princes

Fr. l'exactitude est la politesse des rois, punctuality is the politeness of kings (attributed to Louis XVIII, 1755-1824).

‘Punctuality is the virtue of princes.’‥Mr. Harley‥would have ridiculed so antiquated a notion.
[1834 M. Edgeworth Helen II. ix.]

Punctuality is the purlitness o' princes, and I doesn't like keepin' people waitin'.
[1854 Surtees Handley Cross (ed. 2) xli.]

‘Now do try to be down in time for breakfast to-morrow morning. Remember—“Punctuality is the politeness of princes.” So charming of them, I always think.’
[1930 G. Mitchell Mystery of Butcher Shop (1990) iii. 31]

One should never keep people waiting; punctuality was the politeness of princes.
[1981 P. Mccutchan Shard calls Tune xv.]

Related to: politeness; punctuality

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.