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Quote by Lord Chesterfield

“Instead of giving in to the greatest misfortune that can happen at my age, deafness, I busy myself in searching out all possible compensations, and I apply myself much more to all the amusements that are here within my grasp.”

Quote by Lord Chesterfield

Author

Lord Chesterfield

British statesman known for his epistolary works, which had a profound impact on 18th-century British society. more

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“Deafness produces bizarre effects, reversing the natural order of things; the interchange of letters is the conversation of the deaf, and the only link with society. I would be in despair, for instance, over seeing you speak, but, instead, I am only too happy to hear you write.”

Writing Would Be Order Speak Natural Seeing Effects Produce Conversation Despair Letters Instance Links Bizarre Deaf Deafness Natural Order Interchange

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“There are people who indulge themselves in a sort of lying, which they reckon innocent, and which in one sense is so; for it hurtsnobody but themselves. This sort of lying is the spurious offspring of vanity, begotten upon folly.”

People Lying Innocent Vanity Folly Indulge Offspring

Book:Lord Chesterfield's Letters

Source: Lord Chesterfield's Letters

“We are hardly ever grateful for a fine clock or watch when it goes right, and we pay attention to it only when it falters, for then we are caught by surprise. It ought to be the other way about.”

Way Pay Attention Watches Fine Ought Gratitude Grateful Surprise Caught Pay Attention Clock

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“I heartily wish you, in the plain home-spun style, a great number of happy new years, well employed in forming both your mind andyour manners, to be useful and agreeable to yourself, your country, and your friends.”

Years Mind Wells Country Home Wish Numbers Style Manners New Year Employed Wish You Spun Happy New Year

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“We are really so prejudiced by our educations, that, as the ancients deified their heroes, we deify their madmen.”

Hero Prejudice Madmen

Book:The Modern Chesterfield

Source: The Modern Chesterfield

“It must be owned, that the Graces do not seem to be natives of Great Britain; and I doubt, the best of us here have more of rough than polished diamond.”

Seems Doubt Grace British Britain Rough Diamond Polished Great Britain

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“The vulgar only laugh, but never smile; whereas well-bred people often smile, but seldom laugh.”

People Wells Laughing Laughter Vulgar Smile And Laughter Laughter And Smiles

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“Used with due abstinence, hope acts as a healthful tonic; intemperately indulged, as an enervating opiate. The visions of future triumph, which at first animate exertion, if dwelt upon too intently, will usurp the place of the stern reality; and, noble objects will be contemplated, not for their own inherent worth, but on account of the day-dreams they engender. Thus hope, aided by imagination, makes one man a hero, another a somnambulist, and a third a lunatic; while it renders them all enthusiasts.”

Ifs Men Firsts Dream Reality Used Hope Imagination Vision Objects Hero Thirds Accounts Dues Noble Triumph One Man Inherent Lunatic Exertion Abstinence Opiates

Author:James Fitzjames Stephen

“Power and courtly influence form an intoxicating draught even when raised to the lips of an ascetic and a saint.”

Form Power Influence Raised Lips Saint Draught

Author:James Fitzjames Stephen

“Wisdom may be the ultimate arbiter, but is seldom the immediate agent in human affairs.”

Humans May Wisdom Ultimate Affair Agents Arbiter

Book:Critical and Miscellaneous Essays

Source: Critical and Miscellaneous Essays