1694-1773, British Statesman, Author
A constant smirk upon the face, and a whiffing activity of the body, are strong indications of futility.
Lord Chesterfield – [Futility]
A man of sense only trifles with them, plays with them, humors and flatters them, as he does with a sprightly and forward child; but he neither consults them about, nor trusts them with, serious matters.
Lord Chesterfield – [Men and Women]
A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners.
Lord Chesterfield – [Manners]
A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things, but cannot receive great ones.
Lord Chesterfield – [Mind]
A wise man will live as much within his wit as within his income.
Lord Chesterfield – [Wit]
Advice is seldom welcome; and those who want it the most always like it the least.
Lord Chesterfield – [Advice]
Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.
Lord Chesterfield – [Perfection]
Any affectation whatsoever in dress implies, in my mind, a flaw in the understanding.
Lord Chesterfield – [Dress]
As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless.
Lord Chesterfield – [Fathers]
Be wiser than other people, if you can; but do not tell them so.
Lord Chesterfield – [Discretion]
Be your character what it will, it will be known; and nobody will take it upon your word.
Lord Chesterfield – [Character]
Buy good books, and read them; the best books are the commonest, and the last editions are always the best, if the editors are not blockheads.
Lord Chesterfield – [Books and Reading]
Ceremony is necessary as the outwork and defense of manners.
Lord Chesterfield – [Manners]
Character must be kept bright as well as clean.
Lord Chesterfield – [Character]
Custom has made dancing sometimes necessary for a young man; therefore mind it while you learn it, that you may learn to do it well, and not be ridiculous, though in a ridiculous act.
Lord Chesterfield – [Dance and Dancing]
Firmness of purpose is one of the most necessary sinews of character, and one of the best instruments of success. Without it genius wastes its efforts in a maze of inconsistencies.
Lord Chesterfield – [Firmness]
For my own part, I would rather be in company with a dead man than with an absent one; for if the dead man gives me no pleasure, at least he shows me no contempt; whereas the absent one, silently indeed, but very plainly, tells me that he does not think me worth his attention.
Lord Chesterfield – [Company]
Frequent and loud laughter is the characteristic of folly and ill manners.
Lord Chesterfield – [Laughter]
Good breeding is the result of good sense, some good nature, and a little self-denial for the sake of others.
Lord Chesterfield – [Ancestry]
Great merit, or great failings, will make you respected or despised; but trifles, little attentions, mere nothings, either done or neglected, will make you either liked or disliked in the general run of the world.
Lord Chesterfield – [Greatness]