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
A certain degree of ceremony is a necessary outwork of manners, as well as of religion; it keeps the forward and petulant… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Arbitrary power has seldom... been introduced in any country at once. It must be introduced by slow degrees, and as it were… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
The greatest dangers have their allurements, if the want of success is likely to be attended with a degree of glory. Middling… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
People will, in a great degree, and not without reason, form their opinion of you upon that which they have of your… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
The most familiar and intimate habitudes, connections, friendships, require a degree of good-breeding both to preserve and cement them. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Should you be unfortunate enough to have vices, you may, to a certain degree, even dignify them by a strict observance of… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Let this be one invariable rule of your conduct--never to show the least symptom of resentment, which you cannot, to a certain… — 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
I could wish there were a treaty made between the French and the English theatres, in which both parties should make considerableconcessions.… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Horse-play, romping, frequent and loud fits of laughter, jokes, and indiscriminate familiarity, will sink both merit and knowledge into a degree of… — 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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
“Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over” — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
