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Quote by Lord Chesterfield

“All ceremonies are in themselves very silly things; but yet, a man of the world should know them. They are the outworks of Mannersand Decency, which would be too often broken in upon, if it were not for that defence, which keeps the enemy at a proper distance.”

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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“A certain degree of ceremony is a necessary outwork of manners, as well as of religion; it keeps the forward and petulant at a proper distance, and is a very small restraint to the sensible and to the well-bred part of the world.”

World Wells Certain Degrees Distance Manners Sensible Restraint Ceremony

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“Endeavor, as much as you can, to keep company with people above you.... Do not mistake, when I say company above you, and think that I mean with regard to their birth; that is the least consideration; but I mean with regard to their merit, and the light in which the world considers them.”

People Thinking World Mean Light Mistake Company Birth Regard Merit Consideration Endeavor

Book:Lord Chesterfield's Letters

Source: Lord Chesterfield's Letters

“There is a certain jargon, which, in French, I should call un Persiflage d'Affaires, that a foreign Minister ought to be perfectlymaster of, and may be used very advantageously at great entertainments, in mixed companies, and in all occasions where he must speak, and should say nothing. Well turned and well spoken, it seems to mean something, though in truth it means nothing. It is a kind of political badinage, which prevents or removes a thousand difficulties, to which a foreign Minister is exposed in mixed conversations.”

Should Wells Kind May Mean Seems Political Used Certain Speak Company Ought Thousand Conversation Difficulty Entertainment Occasions Ministers Remove Exposed Jargon All Occasions

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“Never write down your speeches beforehand; if you do, you may perhaps be a good declaimer, but will never be a debater.”

Ifs Writing May Speech

Book:Lord Chesterfield's Letters

Source: Lord Chesterfield's Letters

“The French manner of hunting is gentlemanlike; ours is only for bumpkins and bodies. The poor beasts here are pursued and run downby much greater beasts than themselves; and the true British fox-hunter is most undoubtedly a species appropriated and peculiar to this country, which no other part of the globe produces.”

Country Body Running Poor Greater Produce Species British Beast Peculiar Hunting Globes Foxes Hunters Pursued

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“In the course of the world, a man must very often put on an easy, frank countenance, upon very disagreeable occasions; he must seem pleased, when he is very much otherwise; he must be able to accost and receive with smiles, those whom he would much rather meet with swords.”

Men World Seems Able Faces Courses Easy Patience Tolerance Occasions Frank Countenance Disagreeable

Book:Lord Chesterfield's Letters

Source: Lord Chesterfield's Letters

“The herd of mankind can hardly be said to think; their notions are almost all adoptive; and, in general, I believe it is better that it should be so; as such common prejudices contribute more to order and quiet, than their own separate reasonings would do, uncultivated and unimproved as they are.”

Thinking Should Believe Said Order I Believe Common Mankind Ignorance Quiet Prejudice Notion Reasoning Herds

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

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

“Nothing convinces persons of a weak understanding so effectually, as what they do not comprehend.”

Persons Understanding Ignorance Weak Convince Gullibility

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

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

“The most ignorant are the boldest conjecturers.”

Ignorance Ignorant

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“Smooth your way to the head through the heart. The way of reason is a good one: but it is commonly something longer, and perhapsnot so sure.”

Way Heart Reason Compassion Smooth

Author:Lord Chesterfield