Quotes By Lord Chesterfield

Our own self-love draws a thick veil between us and our faults.

Good humor is the health of the soul, sadness is its poison.

In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.

Knowledge of the world in only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet.

I am very sure that any man of common understanding may, by culture, care, attention, and labor, make himself what- ever he pleases, except a great poet.

Remember, as long as you live, that nothing but strict truth can carry you through the world, with either your conscience or your honor unwounded.

I sometimes give myself admirable advice, but I am incapable of taking it.

Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason.

Sex: the pleasure is momentary, the position ridiculous, and the expense damnable.

If ever a man and his wife, or a man and his mistress, who pass nights as well as days together, absolutely lay aside all good breeding, their intimacy will soon degenerate into a coarse familiarity, infallibly productive of contempt or disgust.

Never seem more learned than the people you are with. Wear your learning like a pocket watch and keep it hidden. Do not pull it out to count the hours, but give the time when you are asked.

In matters of religion and matrimony I never give any advice; because I will not have anybody's torments in this world or the next laid to my charge.

Patience is the most necessary quality for business, many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.

To govern mankind, one must not overrate them.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

An injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult.

Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them so.

Pleasure is a necessary reciprocal. No one feels, who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please. What pleases you in others, will in general please them in you.

Let them show me a cottage where there are not the same vices of which they accuse the courts.

In seeking wisdom thou art wise; in imagining that thou hast attained it - thou art a fool.

To have frequent recourse to narrative betrays great want of imagination.

A novel must be exceptionally good to live as long as the average cat.

Idleness is only the refuge of weak minds.

The less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in.

I look upon indolence as a sort of suicide; for the man is effectually destroyed, though the appetites of the brute may survive.

If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself.

Being pretty on the inside means you don't hit your brother and you eat all your peas - that's what my grandma taught me.

The more one works, the more willing one is to work.

If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.