---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is often more necessary to conceal…"
description: "\"It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment; the former is never forgiven, but the later is sometimes forgotten.\" — Lord Chesterfield"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/lord-chesterfield-757_anger_it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-co_2791913.jpg"
---

#  It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than…

![“It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment; the former is never forgiven, but the later is sometimes forgotten.” quote by Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/lord-chesterfield-757_anger_it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-co_2791913.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/lord-chesterfield-757_anger_it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-co_2791913.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/lord-chesterfield-757_anger_it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-co_2791913.jpg)

> “It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment; the former is never forgiven, but the later is sometimes forgotten.”

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Concealing contempt is more prudent than showing resentment; contempt is unforgiven, resentment may fade.

**In simple terms:** Hide contempt, let resentment fade.

Key Takeaway

Practice restraint in expressing negative feelings.

Themes

emotions social etiquette forgiveness

Mood

cautious thoughtful

Type

philosophical practical

When to use this quote

- workplace
- family gatherings
- political discourse

Key Concepts

pride humility psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- When is it better to confront than conceal?
- How does hidden contempt affect relationships?

A Different Perspective

Concealing can breed internal tension.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) [Conceal Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conceal-contempt-3384827/) [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) [Contempt Resentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt-resentment-3384826/) [Forgiven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiven/) [Forgotten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgotten/) [Former](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/former/) [Never forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-forgive/) [Resentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resentment/) [Resentment Forgiven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resentment-forgiven-3384828/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/)

## Related quotes

> [Wrongs are often forgiven; contempt never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/wrongs-are-often-forgiven-contempt-never/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Wrongs are often forgiven, but contempt never is. Our pride remembers it forever. It implies a discovery of weakness, which we are more careful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/wrongs-are-often-forgiven-but-contempt-never-is-our-pride-remembers-2/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Wrongs are often forgiven, but contempt never is. Our pride remembers it forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/wrongs-are-often-forgiven-but-contempt-never-is-our-pride-remembers/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [I have never forgiven myself…that I might have made a mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-davis/i-have-never-forgiven-myself-that-i-might-have-made-a-mistake/)

[Al Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-davis/)

> [You will never forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-will-never-forgive-anyone-more-than-god-has-already-forgiven-you/)

[Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/)

> [The weak can never forgive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-weak-can-never-forgive/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

> [I hate that word. It's return--a return to the millions of people who've never forgiven me for deserting the screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/i-hate-that-word-it-s-return-a-return-to-the-millions-of-people-who/)

[Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/)

> [All men have parties and are pals who never let each other down. A pal can say terrible things which are forgotten the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tove-jansson/all-men-have-parties-and-are-pals-who-never-let-each-other-down-a-pal/)

[Tove Jansson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tove-jansson/)

> [Parents are never forgiven for not giving just the right response at the appropriate moment. Or, rather, there are particular times in the adolescent's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-e-apter/parents-are-never-forgiven-for-not-giving-just-the-right-response-at/)

[Terri E Apter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-e-apter/)

> [I am provoked at the contempt which most historians show for humanity in general; one would think by them, that the whole human species…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-am-provoked-at-the-contempt-which-most-historians-show-for-humanity/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [A stranger can see in an instant something in you that you might spend years learning about yourself. How awful we all are when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-elliott/a-stranger-can-see-in-an-instant-something-in-you-that-you-might/)

[Stephen Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-elliott/)

> [Politicians can forgive almost anything in the way of abuse; they can forgive subversion, revolution, being contradicted, exposed as liars, even ridiculed, but they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auberon-waugh/politicians-can-forgive-almost-anything-in-the-way-of-abuse-they-can/)

[Auberon Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auberon-waugh/)

> [If somebody tells you 'History will never forgive you,' just laugh at him! Because when the history comes, you won't be here! The threat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-somebody-tells-you-history-will-never-forgive-you-just-laugh-at/)

[Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [My gramps died 4 years ago from a heart attack .. I came in late at the hospital because I was buying dope.. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yankit/my-gramps-died-4-years-ago-from-a-heart-attack-i-came-in-late-at-the/)

[Yankit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yankit/)

> [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

## More by Lord Chesterfield

> [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [No woman ever yet either reasoned or acted long together consequentially; but some little thing, some love, some resentment, somepresent momentary interest, some supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/no-woman-ever-yet-either-reasoned-or-acted-long-together/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-am-in-the-pitiable-situation-of-feeling-all-the-force-of-temptation/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/mankind-is-made-up-of-inconsistencies-and-no-man-acts-invariably-up/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/compliments-of-congratulation-are-always-kindly-taken-and-cost/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/the-insolent-civility-of-a-proud-man-is-if-possible-more-shocking/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [“Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/secret-thoughts-and-an-open-countenance-will-take-you-safely-the/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Virtue and learning, like gold, have their intrinsic value: but if they are not polished, they certainly lose a great deal of their luster:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/virtue-and-learning-like-gold-have-their-intrinsic-value-but-if-they/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/knowledge-is-a-comfortable-and-necessary-retreat-and-shelter-for-us/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Promptness is the soul of business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/promptness-is-the-soul-of-business/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Style is the dress of thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/style-is-the-dress-of-thoughts/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-commonly-said-that-ridicule-is-the-best-test-of-truth-for-that/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one thing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/there-is-hardly-any-place-or-any-company-where-you-may-not-gain/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/assurance-and-intrepidity-under-the-white-banner-of-seeming-modesty/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [“Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/many-a-man-would-rather-you-heard-his-story-than-grant-his-request/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

[Explore all 378 Lord Chesterfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

## More Anger quotes

> [“If I let myself think of it the pain and anger were still fresh, adrenalin racing down my limbs to pool, hot and itchy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-ladd/if-i-let-myself-think-of-it-the-pain-and-anger-were-still-fresh/)

[Kylie Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-ladd/)

> [I receive something we might euphemistically call an 'inappropriately hostile' response - that is to say, more than fair criticism or even fair anger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/i-receive-something-we-might-euphemistically-call-an-inappropriately/)

[Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/)

> [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/)

[Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/)

> [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/)

[Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/)

[N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/)

> [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/)

[Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/)

> [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/)

[Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/)

> [My care will be in the heart n not in words My anger will be in Words n not in the Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/my-care-will-be-in-the-heart-n-not-in-words-my-anger-will-be-in-words/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-a-negro-in-this-country-and-to-be-relatively-conscious-is-to-be/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“God, you had enough time to have been through it three times. You've been through my stuff. I bet you over and let one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/god-you-had-enough-time-to-have-been-through-it-three-times-you-ve/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-present-contains-nothing-more-than-the-past-and-what-is-found-in/)

[Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/)

> [Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/depression-is-merely-anger-without-enthusiasm/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/)

[David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/)

> [ “Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari \[living a worldly life\] regardless of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-are-kashays-anger-pride-deceit-greed-there-is-worldly/)

[Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/)

[Browse all 7,469 Anger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment; the former is never forgiven, but the later is sometimes forgotten.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lord Chesterfield"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-contempt-than-resentment-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anger"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-contempt-than-resentment-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/lord-chesterfield-757_anger_it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-co_2791913.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/lord-chesterfield-757_anger_it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-co_2791913.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a95/lord-chesterfield-757_anger_it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-co_2791913.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment; the former is never forgiven, but the later…” — Lord Chesterfield",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Lord Chesterfield",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It is often more necessary to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-contempt-than-resentment-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-often-more-necessary-to-conceal-contempt-than-resentment-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
