Quotes from Lord Chesterfield

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.

The value of moments, when cast up, is immense, if well employed; if thrown away, their loss is irrevocable.

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.

To this principle of vanity, which philosophers call a mean one, and which I do not, I owe a great part of the figure which I have made in life.

Never seem wiser, nor more learned, than the people you are with. Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket: and do not merely pull it out and strike it merely to show that you have one.

Choose your pleasures for yourself, and do not let them be imposed upon you.

Most people enjoy the inferiority of their friends.

There is hardly anybody good for everything, and there is scarcely anybody who is absolutely good for nothing.

Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

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.

Ridicule is the best test of truth.

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.

A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things, but cannot receive great ones.

Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it; it will counsel you best.

Words are the dress of thoughts; which should no more be presented in rags, tatters, and dirt than your person should.

Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough.

Advice is seldom welcome and those who need it the most like it the least.

Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves

Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.

Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him

I am convinced that a light supper, a good night's sleep, and a fine morning, have sometimes made a hero of the same man, who, by an indigestion, a restless night, and rainy morning, would have proved a coward.

Honest error is to be pitied not ridiculed.

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

Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over