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Quote by Lord Chesterfield

“When I reflect upon what I have seen, what I have heard, what I have done, I can hardly persuade myself that all that frivolous hurry and bustle and pleasure of the world had any reality; and I look on what has passed as one of those wild dreams which opium occasions, and I by no means wish to repeat the nauseous dose for the sake of the fugitive illusion.”

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 man's fortune is frequently decided by his first address. If pleasing, others at once conclude he has merit; but if ungraceful, they decide against him.”

Ifs Men Firsts Decided Fortune Manners Merit Addresses Pleasing Others

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“I really think next to the consciousness of doing a good action, that of doing a civil one is the most pleasing; and the epithet which I should covet the most next to that of Aristides, would be that of well-bred.”

Thinking Should Wells Would Be Action Next Consciousness Manners Good Actions Epithet

Book:Lord Chesterfield's Letters

Source: Lord Chesterfield's Letters

“Nothing sharpens the arrow of sarcasm so keenly as the courtesy that polishes it; no reproach is like that we clothe with a smile and present with a bow.”

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Author:Lord Chesterfield

“The manner of a vulgar man has freedom without ease, and the manner of a gentleman has ease without freedom.”

Men He Man Manners Ease Gentleman Vulgar Vulgarity

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“If you love music hear it; go to operas, concerts, and pay fiddlers to play to you; but I insist upon your neither piping nor fiddling yourself. It puts a gentleman in a very frivolous, contemptible light; brings him into a great deal of bad company; and takes up a great deal of time, which might be much better employed.”

Ifs Play Light Might Deals Pay Company Music Gentleman Concerts Opera Employed Music Love Frivolous Bad Company Fiddlers

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“The greatest powers cannot injure a man's character whose reputation is unblemished among his party.”

Men Character Politics Party Reputation

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

“Sincerity is the most compendious wisdom.”

Author:Lord Chesterfield

“Sincerity w the most compendious wisdom, an excellent instrument for the speedy despatch of business. It creates confidence in those we have to deal with, saves the labor of many inquiries, and brings things to an issue in few words.”

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Author:Lord Chesterfield

“Whatever poets may write, or fools believe, of rural innocence and truth, and of the perfidy of courts, this is most undoubtedly true,--that shepherds and ministers are both men; their natures and passions the same, the modes of them only different.”

Men Writing Believe May Different Passion Poet Fool Court Innocence Ministers Shepherds Perfidy

Book:Lord Chesterfield's Letters

Source: Lord Chesterfield's Letters

“Talk often, but never long; in that case, if you do not please, at least you are sure not to tire your hearers. Pay your own reckoning, but do not treat the whole company; this being one of the few cases in which people do not care to be treated, every one being fully convinced that he has wherewithal to pay.”

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Book:Lord Chesterfield's Letters

Source: Lord Chesterfield's Letters