"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing"

This quote by Robert E. Howard suggests that people in civilized societies are most likely to be impolite than those in less developed societies. This is since people in civilized societies understand that they can be rude without worry of physical effects. In other words, they understand that they won't be punished with violence for their disrespect. This is in contrast to individuals in less industrialized societies, where physical violence is more likely to be utilized as a kind of penalty. This quote suggests that individuals in civilized societies have a higher sense of entitlement and are less most likely to be held accountable for their actions. It also recommends that individuals in less industrialized societies are most likely to be considerate and polite, as they are aware of the potential effects of their actions.