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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

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“No woman ever yet either reasoned or acted long together consequentially; but some little thing, some love, some resentment, somepresent momentary interest, some supposed slight, or some humour, always breaks in upon, and oversets their most prudent resolutions and schemes.”

LittlesLongTogetherWomenInterestBreakHumourResolutionLittle ThingsSexismResentmentSchemesPrudentMomentary
Book:Letters Written by the Earl of Chesterfield to His Son
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“It seems to me that your doctor [Tronchin] is more of a philosopher than a physician. As for me, I much prefer a doctor who is anoptimist and who gives me remedies that will improve my health. Philosophical consolations are, after all, useless against real ailments. I know only two kinds of sickness--physical and moral: all the others are purely in the imagination.”

KnowsGivingKindTwoRealSeemsImaginationMoralDoctorsGive MePhilosophicalMedicinePhilosopherUselessSicknessRemedyPhysiciansConsolationDoctor WhoAilments
Author:Lord Chesterfield
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“Vanity, or to call it by a gentler name, the desire of admiration and applause, is, perhaps, the most universal principle of humanactions.... Where that desire is wanting, we are apt to be indifferent, listless, indolent, and inert.... I will own to you, under the secrecy of confession, that my vanity has very often made me take great pains to make many a woman in love with me, if I could, for whose person I would not have given a pinch of snuff.”

IfsPersonsMadePainDesireNamesGivenPrinciplesUniversalPraiseVanityIf I CouldAdmirationConfessionIndifferentSecrecyApplauseSnuff
Author:Lord Chesterfield
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“Never yield to that temptation, which, to most young men, is very strong, of exposing other people's weaknesses and infirmities, for the sake either of diverting the company, or of showing your own superiority. You may get the laugh on your side by it for the present; but you will make enemies by it for ever; and even those who laugh with you then, will, upon reflection, fear, and consequently hate you.”

PeopleMenMayYoungHateStrongSidesCompanyEnemyLaughingReflectionWeaknessCriticismSakeTemptationYoung ManYieldVery StrongSuperiorityHate YouRidiculeYour SideExposingInfirmity
Book:Lord Chesterfield's Letters
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“I often wish for the end of the wretched remnant of my life; and that wish is a rational one; but then the innate principle of self-preservation, wisely implanted in our natures, for obvious purposes, opposes that wish, and makes us endeavour to spin out our thread as long as we can, however decayed and rotten it may be.”

MayLongEndsSelfAgeDeathPurposeWishPrinciplesObviousRationalOld AgeThreadPreservationWretchedInnateRottenEndeavourSelf PreservationRemnants
Author:Lord Chesterfield
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