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Cautiously avoid speaking of the domestic affairs either…

“Cautiously avoid speaking of the domestic affairs either of yourself, or of other people. Yours are nothing to them but tedious gossip; and theirs are nothing to you.” quote by Lord Chesterfield
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“Cautiously avoid speaking of the domestic affairs either of yourself, or of other people. Yours are nothing to them but tedious gossip; and theirs are nothing to you.”

Lord Chesterfield

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Advocates discretion, suggesting personal and others' affairs are uninteresting to outsiders and should be avoided in conversation.

In simple terms: Keep private matters private and avoid gossip.

Key Takeaway

Practice discretion in speech.

Themes

etiquette privacy communication

Mood

thoughtful respectful

Type

advice etiquette

When to use this quote

  • social gatherings
  • online forums
  • family dinners

Key Concepts

social norms interpersonal relations

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you politely steer a conversation away from gossip?
  • What benefits arise from respecting privacy?
A Different Perspective

People may still feel compelled to share personal details.

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