A man who tells nothing, or who tells all, will equally have nothing told him. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A judicious reticence is hard to learn, but it is one of the great lessons of life. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Human nature is the same everywhere; the modes only are different. — 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
Choose your pleasures for yourself, and do not let them be imposed upon you. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
He adorned whatever subject he either spoke or wrote upon, by the most splendid eloquence. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Whoever plays deep must necessarily lose his money or his character. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
People will no more advance their civility to a bear, than their money to a bankrupt. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Seek always for the best words and the happiest expression you can find. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Women have, in general, but ne object, which is their beauty; upon which, scarce any flattery is too gross for them to… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
The nation looked upon him as a deserter, and he shrunk into insignificancy and an earldom. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Be your character what it will, it will be known, and nobody will take it upon your word. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
If we do not plant knowledge when young, it will give us no shade when we are old. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Little secrets are commonly told again, but great ones generally kept. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
If you have an hour, will you not improve that hour, instead of idling it away? — 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
