Beast Quote by Lord Chesterfield
“One man affirms that he has rode post a hundred miles in six hours; probably it is a lie; but supposing it to be true, what then? Why, he is a very good post-boy; that is all. Another asserts, and probably not without oaths, that he has drunk six or eight bottles of wine at a sitting; out of charity I will believe him a liar; for if I do not, I must think him a beast.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Letters to His Son, 1746
Exaggerated claims are often dismissed, yet they reveal character and credibility.
In simple terms: Questioning boastful statements.
Key Takeaway
Critically evaluate bold claims.
Themes
skepticism
honesty
character
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- social interactions
- political discourse
- personal reputation
Key Concepts
rhetoric
credibility assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a claim believable?
- When should we trust a boast?
A Different Perspective
Exaggeration may mask truth.
![“No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb [Earth] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic beasts.” quote by Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d65/olaf-stapledon-9950_angel_no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-anoth_12107.jpg)
