Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Lord Chesterfield

Quote by Lord Chesterfield

Work

The Works of Lord Chesterfield: Including His Letters to His Son, Etc : to which is Prefixed, an Original Life of the Author

The book is a compilation of Lord Chesterfield's correspondence with his son, offering insights into his personal and philosophical views. It is preceded by a biography that provides background on the author's life. more

Author

Lord Chesterfield
Lord Chesterfield

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

You May Also Like

“The vulgar look upon a man, who is reckoned a fine speaker, as a phenomenon, a supernatural being, and endowed with some peculiargift of Heaven; they stare at him, if he walks in the park, and cry, that is he. You will, I am sure, view him in a juster light, and nulla formidine. You will consider him only as a man of good sense, who adorns common thoughts with the graces of elocution, and the elegancy of style. The miracle will then cease.”

IfsMenLooksLightHeavenWalksViewsCommonGraceStyleCryFineFameMiracleCeaseReputationStaringParksLook UpPhenomenonSpeakersVulgarGood SenseWalks In The ParkSupernatural BeingsElocution
Author:Lord Chesterfield
Create image

“Anne of Austria (with great submission to a Crowned Head do I say it) was a B----. She had spirit and courage without parts, devotion without common morality, and lewdness without tenderness either to justify or to dignify it. Her two sons were no more Lewis the Thirteen's than they were mine.”

TwoCharacterSpiritCommonMinesSonMoralityDevotionJustifyTendernessSubmissionRoyaltyAdulteryThirteenAustria
Book:Letters Written by the Earl of Chesterfield to His Son
Create image

“You must be respectful and assenting, but without being servile and abject. You must be frank, but without indiscretion, and close, without being costive. You must keep up dignity of character, without the least pride of birth, or rank. You must be gay, within all the bounds of decency and respect; and grave, without the affectation of wisdom, which does not become the age of twenty. You must be essentially secret, without being dark and mysterious. You must be firm, and even bold, but with great seeming modesty.”

DoeCharacterAgeDarkSecretPrideBirthGayDignityTwentiesBoundsGravesMysteriousMannersFirmFrankModestyDecencyRespectfulSeemingBe Respectful
Author:Lord Chesterfield
Create image

“The company of women of fashion will improve your manners, though not your understanding; and that complaisance and politeness, which are so useful in men's company, can only be acquired in women's.”

MenUnderstandingCompanyFashionMen And WomenMannersPoliteness
Book:The Works of Lord Chesterfield: Including His Letters to His Son, Etc : to which is Prefixed, an Original Life of the Author
Create image

“Women of fashion and character--I do not mean absolutely unblemished--are a necessary ingredient in the composition of good company; the attention which they require, and which is always paid them by well-bred men, keeps up politeness, and gives a habit of good-breeding; whereas men, when they live together without the lenitive of women in company, are apt to grow careless, negligent, and rough among one another.”

MenGivingWellsMeanCharacterTogetherGrowsAttentionCompanyFashionHabitMen And WomenPaidRoughIngredientsCompositionCarelessPolitenessBreedingGood CompanyGood Breeding
Author:Lord Chesterfield
Create image