Skip to content

Bounds Quote by Lord Chesterfield

“In your friendships and in your enmities let your confidence and your hostilities have certain bounds; make not the former dangerous, nor the latter irreconcilable. There are strange vicissitudes in business.” quote by Lord Chesterfield
Download Open image
“In your friendships and in your enmities let your confidence and your hostilities have certain bounds; make not the former dangerous, nor the latter irreconcilable. There are strange vicissitudes in business.”

Lord Chesterfield

About This Quote

Advice to balance confidence and hostility, urging moderation in both, and noting unpredictability in business.

In simple terms: Keep confidence and hostility within reasonable limits; business can be unpredictable.

Key Takeaway

Moderate pride and aggression; expect business volatility.

Themes

moderation confidence conflict business

Mood

cautious pragmatic

Type

philosophical advisory

When to use this quote

  • negotiations
  • team leadership
  • competitive markets
  • personal relationships

Key Concepts

philosophical guidance ethical conduct strategic advice

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you decide when confidence is enough?
  • When should hostility be expressed?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on balance may ignore necessary assertiveness.

2.4 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Lord Chesterfield

Explore all 378 Lord Chesterfield quotes

More Bounds quotes

Browse all 1,641 Bounds quotes