Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes

Manners must adorn knowledge, and smooth its way through the world. Like a great rough diamond, it may do very well in a closet by way of curiosity, and also for its intrinsic value.

I foresee, that before the end of this century, the trade of both King and Priest will not be half so good a one as it has been.

I assisted at the birth of that most significant word "flirtation," which dropped from the most beautiful mouth in the world.

The nation looked upon him as a deserter, and he shrunk into insignificancy and an earldom.

Sacrifice to the Graces.

The reputation of generosity is to be purchased pretty cheap; it does not depend so much upon a man’s general expense, as it does upon his giving handsomely where it is proper to give at all. A man, for instance, who should give a servant four shillings, would pass for covetous, while he who gave him a crown, would be reckoned generous; so that the difference of those two opposite characters, turns upon one shilling.

Take the tone of the company you are in.

It is commonly said, and more particularly by Lord Shaftesbury, that ridicule is the best test of truth.

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

The manner is often as important as the matter, sometimes more so.

He adorned whatever subject he either spoke or wrote upon, by the most splendid eloquence.

A strong mind sees things in their true proportions; a weak one views them through a magnifying medium, which, like the microscope, makes an elephant of a flea: magnifies all little objects, but cannot receive great ones.

Marriage is the cure of love, and friendship the cure of marriage.

Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give luster, and many more people see than weigh.

Religion is by no means a proper subject of conversation in a mixed company.