--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth…" description: "\"Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way in the world, without them it is like a great rough diamond, very well in a closet by way of curiosity,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/lord-chesterfield-757_closets_manners-must-adorn-knowledge-and-smooth_1737638.jpg" --- # Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way in the… ![“Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way in the world, without them it is like a great rough diamond, very well in a closet by way of curiosity, and also for its intrinsic value; but most prized when polished.” quote by Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/lord-chesterfield-757_closets_manners-must-adorn-knowledge-and-smooth_1737638.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/lord-chesterfield-757_closets_manners-must-adorn-knowledge-and-smooth_1737638.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/lord-chesterfield-757_closets_manners-must-adorn-knowledge-and-smooth_1737638.jpg) > “Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way in the world, without them it is like a great rough diamond, very well in a closet by way of curiosity, and also for its intrinsic value; but most prized when polished.” [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. Manners make knowledge accessible and valuable, like polishing a diamond to reveal its brilliance. **In simple terms:** Politeness reveals the worth of ideas. Key Takeaway Cultivate courtesy to share ideas effectively. Themes etiquette communication knowledge value Mood respectful thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - academia - business negotiations - public speaking - networking - writing Key Concepts Social grace cultural capital Questions to Reflect On - How do manners influence perception of expertise? - When might blunt honesty be more effective? A Different Perspective Politeness alone cannot guarantee acceptance; substance matters too. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) [Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diamond/) [Intrinsic value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intrinsic-value/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way through the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/manners-must-adorn-knowledge-and-smooth-its-way-through-the-world/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-defoe/the-soul-is-placed-in-the-body-like-a-rough-diamond-and-must-be/) [Daniel Defoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-defoe/) > [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/) > [It's the rough diamond that dictates what you can get out of a diamond. You can't say, "I'm going to make this," or, "I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-graff/it-s-the-rough-diamond-that-dictates-what-you-can-get-out-of-a/) [Laurence Graff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-graff/) > [The ability to talk well is to a man what cutting and polishing are to the rough diamond. The grinding does not add anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orison-s-marden/the-ability-to-talk-well-is-to-a-man-what-cutting-and-polishing-are/) [Orison S. Marden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orison-s-marden/) > [It must be owned, that the Graces do not seem to be natives of Great Britain; and I doubt, the best of us here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-must-be-owned-that-the-graces-do-not-seem-to-be-natives-of-great/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Polished brass will pass upon more people than rough gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/polished-brass-will-pass-upon-more-people-than-rough-gold/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“You cannot trade the courage needed to live every moment for immunity from life's sorrows. We may say we know this but ours is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriah-mountain-dreamer/you-cannot-trade-the-courage-needed-to-live-every-moment-for-immunity/) [Oriah Mountain Dreamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriah-mountain-dreamer/) > [Gradually, ... the aspect of science as knowledge is being thrust into the background by the aspect of science as the power of manipulating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/gradually-the-aspect-of-science-as-knowledge-is-being-thrust-into-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Intrinsic value follows meaning follows form follows economics follows function follows more economics follows market research.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-adigard/intrinsic-value-follows-meaning-follows-form-follows-economics/) Erik Adigard > [“The purpose of history, as I see it, is to uncover the forces which move the pawns on the chess board of the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willis-a-carto/the-purpose-of-history-as-i-see-it-is-to-uncover-the-forces-which/) Willis A. Carto > [I never desire to know anything of the detail of political measures, lest even those which I think best should lose anything of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-kemble/i-never-desire-to-know-anything-of-the-detail-of-political-measures/) [Fanny Kemble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-kemble/) > [Failure doesn't have anything to do with your intrinsic value as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ellis/failure-doesn-t-have-anything-to-do-with-your-intrinsic-value-as-a/) [Albert Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ellis/) > [It were good to know how much hay an acre of every sort will bear; how many cattle the same weight of each sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-petty/it-were-good-to-know-how-much-hay-an-acre-of-every-sort-will-bear-how/) [William Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-petty/) > [Music has an intrinsic value that touches Americans - they love their music, and want more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-rosen/music-has-an-intrinsic-value-that-touches-americans-they-love-their/) [Hilary Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-rosen/) ## 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 Closets quotes > [I always sleep on my own. I can't sleep with somebody else. Always separate bedrooms, bathrooms and closets. I'm very individual and I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-tonioli/i-always-sleep-on-my-own-i-can-t-sleep-with-somebody-else-always/) [Bruno Tonioli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-tonioli/) > [I own about 300 pairs of shoes. When I start to go over 300, I have mini-sales from my closet and give the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-london/i-own-about-300-pairs-of-shoes-when-i-start-to-go-over-300-i-have/) [Stacy London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-london/) > [But what struck me was the book-madness of the place--books lay scattered across the unmade bed and the top of a battered-looking desk, books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-millhauser/but-what-struck-me-was-the-book-madness-of-the-place-books-lay/) [Steven Millhauser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-millhauser/) > [I used it in a shot where Richard Burton goes down the hall to get a gun in a closet. And I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/i-used-it-in-a-shot-where-richard-burton-goes-down-the-hall-to-get-a/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [I feel like I've been shut in a closet, and he's on the other side, and he doesn't have the key to unlock the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/i-feel-like-i-ve-been-shut-in-a-closet-and-he-s-on-the-other-side-and/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [People dance and we have a lot of music and... this might be the closet I get for a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-crowe/people-dance-and-we-have-a-lot-of-music-and-this-might-be-the-closet/) [Cameron Crowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-crowe/) > [We will not win our rights by staying quietly in our closets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-milk/we-will-not-win-our-rights-by-staying-quietly-in-our-closets/) [Harvey Milk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-milk/) > [Fairy tales have always been about getting through the worst of everything, the darkest and the deepest and the bloodiest of events. They are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/fairy-tales-have-always-been-about-getting-through-the-worst-of/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [Friends are readily disappointed by the size of my closet. And I thought it was big!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-jessica-parker/friends-are-readily-disappointed-by-the-size-of-my-closet-and-i/) [Sarah Jessica Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-jessica-parker/) > [All of my life, actually, I had a real strong relationship with God, but I was always in the closet about it. The only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinead-o-connor/all-of-my-life-actually-i-had-a-real-strong-relationship-with-god-but/) [Sinead O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinead-o-connor/) > [SM is an art. Doing it well requires more than a bag full of expensive whips and exotic electrical toys, a closet full of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sm-is-an-art-doing-it-well-requires-more-than-a-bag-full-of-expensive/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Weddings seem to be magnets for mishap and for whatever craziness lurks in family closets. 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