Singularity is only pardonable in old age and retirement; I may now be as singular as I please, but you may not. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Never write down your speeches beforehand; if you do, you may perhaps be a good declaimer, but will never be a debater. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Real merit of any kind cannot long be concealed; it will be discovered, and nothing can depreciate it but a man exhibiting… — 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
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
There is not a more prudent maxim, than to live with one's enemies as if they may one day become one's friends;… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Many new years you may see, but happy ones you cannot see without deserving them. These virtue, honor, and knowledge alone can… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Violent measures are always dangerous, but, when necessary, may then be looked on as wise. They have, however, the advantage of never… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
May you live as long as you are fit to live, but no longer, or, may you rather die before you cease… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
I often wish for the end of the wretched remnant of my life; and that wish is a rational one; but then… — 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
Never yield to that temptation, which, to most young men, is very strong, of exposing other people's weaknesses and infirmities, for the… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
I can hardly bring myself to caution you against drinking, because I am persuaded that I am writing to a rational creature,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Not to perceive the little weaknesses and the idle but innocent affectations of the company may be allowable as a sort of… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man of the best parts and greatest learning, if he does not know the world by his own experience and observation,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Though we cannot totally change our nature, we may in great measure correct it by reflection and philosophy; and some philosophy is… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Mind not only what people say, but how they say it; and if you have any sagacity, you may discover more truth… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
There is a certain jargon, which, in French, I should call un Persiflage d'Affaires, that a foreign Minister ought to be perfectlymaster… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
I am not of the opinion generally entertained in this country [England], that man lives by Greek and Latin alone; that is,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Men have various subjects in which they may excel, or at least would be thought to excel, and though they love to… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Learn to shrink yourself to the size of the company you are in. Take their tone, whatever it may be, and excell… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Wise people may say what they will, but one passion is never cured by another. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
If you have wit, use it to please and not to hurt: you may shine like the sun in the temperate zones… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
An honest man may really love a pretty girl, but only an idiot marries her merely because she is pretty. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
... to me it appears strange that the men against whom I should be enabled to bring an action for laying a… — 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
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
It may be objected, that I am now recommending dissimulation to you; I both own and justify it. It has been long… — 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
![“I am not of the opinion generally entertained in this country [England], that man lives by Greek and Latin alone; that is, by knowing a great many words of two dead languages, which nobody living knows perfectly, and which are of no use in the common intercourse of life. Useful knowledge, in my…” quote by Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ad/lord-chesterfield-757_amusement_i-am-not-of-the-opinion-generally-entert_1598465.jpg)
