We are in truth, more than half what we are by imitation. The great point is to choose good models and to… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it; it will counsel you… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A wise man will live as much within his wit as his income… Bear this truth always in your mind, that you… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
It is an undoubted truth, that the less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in. One… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Good breeding and good nature do incline us rather to help and raise people up to ourselves, than to mortify and depress… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Whatever poets may write, or fools believe, of rural innocence and truth, and of the perfidy of courts, this is most undoubtedly… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Women are much more like each other than men: they have, in truth, but two passions, vanity and love; these are their… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Our conjectures pass upon us for truths; we will know what we do not know, and often, what we cannot know: so… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Truth, but not the whole truth, must be the invariable principle of every man who hath either religion, honour, or prudence. Thosewho… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Most maxim-mongers have preferred the prettiness to the justness of a thought, and the turn to the truth; but I have refused… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
I have been too long acquainted with human nature to have great regard for human testimony; and a very great degree of… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
It is hard to say which is the greatest fool: he who tells the whole truth, or he who tells no truth… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Sincerity w the most compendious wisdom, an excellent instrument for the speedy despatch of business. It creates confidence in those we have… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Good manners, to those one does not love, are no more a breach of truth, than "your humble servant," at the bottom… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
I really know nothing more criminal, more mean, and more ridiculous than lying. It is the production either of malice, cowardice, or… — 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
