It is by vivacity and wit that man shines in company; but trite jokes and loud laughter reduce him to a buffoon. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
No man can possibly improve in any company for which he has not respect enough to be under some degree of restraint. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Pocket all your knowledge with your watch, and never pull it out in company unless desired. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Speak the language of the company you are in; speak it purely, and unlarded with any other. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man of sense soon discovers, because he carefully observes, where and how long he is welcome; and takes care to leave… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Not to perceive the little weaknesses and the idle but innocent affectations of the company may be allowable as a sort of… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Vulgarism in language is the distinguishing characteristic of bad company, and a bad education. A man of fashion avoids nothing with more… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Take rather than give the tone to the company you are in. If you have parts you will show them more or… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Religion is by no means a proper subject of conversation in mixed company; it should only be treated among a very few… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
The company of women of fashion will improve your manners, though not your understanding; and that complaisance and politeness, which are so… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Many people come into company full of what they intend to say in it themselves, without the least regard to others; and… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Remember that the wit, humour, and jokes of most mixed companies are local. They thrive in that particular soil, but will not… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Endeavor, as much as you can, to keep company with people above you… Do not mistake, when I say company above you,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Never yield to that temptation, which, to most young men, is very strong, of exposing other people's weaknesses and infirmities, for the… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Talk often, but never long; in that case, if you do not please, at least you are sure not to tire your… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Women of fashion and character--I do not mean absolutely unblemished--are a necessary ingredient in the composition of good company; the attention which… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
If you love music hear it; go to operas, concerts, and pay fiddlers to play to you; but I insist upon your… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man of the best parts and greatest learning, if he does not know the world by his own experience and observation,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
There is a certain jargon, which, in French, I should call un Persiflage d'Affaires, that a foreign Minister ought to be perfectlymaster… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Learn to shrink yourself to the size of the company you are in. Take their tone, whatever it may be, and excell… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
An ignorant man is insignificant and contemptible; nobody cares for his company, and he can just be said to live, and that… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
No woman ever yet either reasoned or acted long together consequentially; but some little thing, some love, some resentment, somepresent momentary interest, some supposed… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
“Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over” — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
Virtue and learning, like gold, have their intrinsic value: but if they are not polished, they certainly lose a great deal of their luster:… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one thing, and… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties... — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
