An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions. — 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
Women are much more like each other than men: they have, in truth, but two passions, vanity and love; these are their… — 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
... 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
Spirit is now a very fashionable word: to act with Spirit, to speak with Spirit, means only to act rashly, and 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
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
Men are much more unwilling to have their weaknesses and their imperfections known, than their crimes; and, if you hint to a… — 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
No man tastes pleasures truly, who does not earn them by previous business; and few people do business well, who do nothing… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Cardinal Mazarin was a great knave, but no great man; much more cunning than able; scandalously false and dirtily greedy. — 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,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
If originally it was not good for a man to be alone, it is much worse for a sick man to be… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
The manner of a vulgar man has freedom without ease, and the manner of a gentleman has ease without freedom. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
An ignorant man is insignificant and contemptible; nobody cares for his company, and he can just be said to live, and that… — 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
A man's fortune is frequently decided by his first address. If pleasing, others at once conclude he has merit; but if ungraceful,… — 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
Few men are of one plain, decided color; most are mixed, shaded, and blended; and vary as much, from different situations, as… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Next to clothes being fine, they should be well made, and worn easily; for a man is only the less genteel for… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
I am convinced that a light supper, a good night's sleep, and a fine morning, have sometimes made a hero of the… — 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
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 who owes a little can clear it off in a very little time, and, if he is a prudent man,… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
In order to judge of the inside of others, study your own; for men in general are very much alike; and though… — 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
The law before us, my lords, seems to be the effect of that practice of which it is intended likewise to be… — 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
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
In the course of the world, a man must very often put on an easy, frank countenance, upon very disagreeable occasions; he… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
The great, the rich, the powerful, too often bestow their favours upon their inferiors in the manner they bestow their scraps upontheir… — 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
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
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
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
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
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
“Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over” — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
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
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
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
There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one thing, and… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties... — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share
