Whenever I go to an opera, I leave my sense and reason at the door with my half-guinea, and deliver myself up… — 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
Smooth your way to the head through the heart. The way of reason is a good one: but it is commonly something… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
People will, in a great degree, and not without reason, form their opinion of you upon that which they have of your… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Women are all so far Machiavellians that they are never either good or bad by halves; their passions are too strong, and… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Those who see and observe kings, heroes, and statesmen, discover that they have headaches, indigestion, humors and passions, just like other people;… — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Since attaining the full use of my reason no one has ever heard me laugh. — Lord Chesterfield Copy Share Image
Distrust those who love you extremely upon a slight acquaintance, and without any visible reason. — 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