---
title: "5 Cunning Quotes By Lord Chesterfield"
description: "5 Cunning quotes by Lord Chesterfield. Plus more from Lord Chesterfield and more Cunning sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e56/lord-chesterfield-757_able_truth-but-not-the-whole-truth-must-be-th_310243.jpg"
---

> [Truth, but not the whole truth, must be the invariable principle of every man who hath either religion, honour, or prudence. Thosewho…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/truth-but-not-the-whole-truth-must-be-the-invariable-principle-of/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e56/lord-chesterfield-757_able_truth-but-not-the-whole-truth-must-be-th_310243.jpg)

> [In business be as able as you can, but do not be cunning; cunning is the dark sanctuary of incapacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/in-business-be-as-able-as-you-can-but-do-not-be-cunning-cunning-is/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c5/lord-chesterfield-757_able_in-business-be-as-able-as-you-can-but-do_573332.jpg)

> [Keep your own secret, and get out other people's. Keep your own temper, and artfully warm other people's. Counterwork your rivalswith diligence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/keep-your-own-secret-and-get-out-other-people-s-keep-your-own-temper/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/lord-chesterfield-757_civility_keep-your-own-secret-and-get-out-other-p_2070250.jpg)

> [Cardinal Mazarin was a great knave, but no great man; much more cunning than able; scandalously false and dirtily greedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cardinal-mazarin-was-a-great-knave-but-no-great-man-much-more-cunning/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/640/lord-chesterfield-757_able_cardinal-mazarin-was-a-great-knave-but-n_2643394.jpg)

> [A proper secrecy is the only mystery of able men; mystery is the only secrecy of weak and cunning ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/a-proper-secrecy-is-the-only-mystery-of-able-men-mystery-is-the-only/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b2/lord-chesterfield-757_able_a-proper-secrecy-is-the-only-mystery-of_3220854.jpg)

## Other authors on Cunning

## More by Lord Chesterfield

> [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [No woman ever yet either reasoned or acted long together consequentially; but some little thing, some love, some resentment, somepresent momentary interest, some supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/no-woman-ever-yet-either-reasoned-or-acted-long-together/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-am-in-the-pitiable-situation-of-feeling-all-the-force-of-temptation/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/mankind-is-made-up-of-inconsistencies-and-no-man-acts-invariably-up/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/compliments-of-congratulation-are-always-kindly-taken-and-cost/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/the-insolent-civility-of-a-proud-man-is-if-possible-more-shocking/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [“Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/secret-thoughts-and-an-open-countenance-will-take-you-safely-the/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Virtue and learning, like gold, have their intrinsic value: but if they are not polished, they certainly lose a great deal of their luster:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/virtue-and-learning-like-gold-have-their-intrinsic-value-but-if-they/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/knowledge-is-a-comfortable-and-necessary-retreat-and-shelter-for-us/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Promptness is the soul of business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/promptness-is-the-soul-of-business/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Style is the dress of thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/style-is-the-dress-of-thoughts/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-commonly-said-that-ridicule-is-the-best-test-of-truth-for-that/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one thing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/there-is-hardly-any-place-or-any-company-where-you-may-not-gain/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/assurance-and-intrepidity-under-the-white-banner-of-seeming-modesty/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [“Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/many-a-man-would-rather-you-heard-his-story-than-grant-his-request/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

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