You must embrace the man you hate, if you cannot be justified in knocking him down — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
The greatest powers cannot injure a man's character whose reputation is unblemished among his party. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
It is by vivacity and wit that man shines in company; but trite jokes and loud laughter reduce him to a buffoon. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
When you have found out the prevailing passion of any man, remember never to trust him where that passion is concerned. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
There are some occasions when a man must tell half his secret, in order to conceal the rest. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Men are much more unwilling to have their weaknesses and their imperfections known than their crimes. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man who tells nothing, or who tells all, will equally have nothing told him. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Next to doing things that deserve to be written, nothing gets a man more credit, or gives him more pleasure than to… — 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
There are some occasions in which a man must tell half his secret, in order to conceal the rest: but there is… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
So much are our minds influenced by the accidents of our bodies, that every man is more the man of the day… — 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
The company of women of fashion will improve your manners, though not your understanding; and that complaisance and politeness, which are so… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A vulgar man is captious and jealous; eager and impetuous about trifles. He suspects himself to be slighted, and thinks everything that… — 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… — 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
The vulgar look upon a man, who is reckoned a fine speaker, as a phenomenon, a supernatural being, and endowed with some… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Men are apt to mistake, or at least to seem to mistake, their own talents, in hopes, perhaps, of misleading others to… — 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
One man affirms that he has rode post a hundred miles in six hours; probably it is a lie; but supposing it… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Vulgarism in language is the distinguishing characteristic of bad company, and a bad education. A man of fashion avoids nothing with more… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A learned parson, rusting in his cell at Oxford or Cambridge, will reason admirably well upon the nature of man; will profoundly… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
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
An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions. He is neither hot nor timid. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man who cannot command his temper, his attention, and his countenance should not think of being a man of business. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
I love every-day senses, every-day wit and entertainment; a man who is only good on holidays, is good for very little. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Silence and reserve suggest latent power. What some men think has more effect than what others say. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man who cannot command his temper should not think of being a man in business. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Women especially as to be talked to as below men, and above children. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share in another. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Study the heart and the mind of man, and begin with your own. Meditation and reflection must lay the foundation of that… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
It is hard to say which is the greatest fool: he who tells the whole truth, or he who tells no truth… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A cheerful, easy, open countenance will make fools think you a good-natured man, and make designing men think you an undesigning one. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A man of sense soon discovers, because he carefully observes, where and how long he is welcome; and takes care to leave… — 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
