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
There are some occasions when a man must tell half his secret, in order to conceal the rest. — 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
You must embrace the man you hate, if you cannot be justified in knocking him down — 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
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
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
Civility, which is a disposition to accommodate and oblige others, is essentially the same in every country; but good breeding, asit is… — 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
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
If a man, notoriously and designedly, insults and affronts you, knock him down; but if he only injures you, your best revenge… — 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
Young men are as apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are to think themselves sober enough. They look upon… — 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
The world can doubtless never be well known by theory: practice is absolutely necessary; but surely it is of great use to… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
A foreign minister, I will maintain it, can never be a good man of business if he is not an agreeable man… — 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
If you wish particularly to gain the good graces and affection of certain people, men or women, try to discover their most… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Second-rate knowledge, and middling talents, carry a man farther at courts, and in the busy part of the world, than superior knowledge… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
As kings are begotten and born like other men, it is to be presumed that they are of the human species; and… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Women of fashion and character--I do not mean absolutely unblemished--are a necessary ingredient in the composition of good company; the attention which… — 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
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
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
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
