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Quotes by Lord Chesterfield

(1694 - 1773)

[Common sense] is the best sense I know of.

The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet.

Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves.

Sex: the pleasure is momentary, the position ridiculous, and the expense damnable.

Most people enjoy the inferiority of their friends.

Be wiser than other people, if you can, but do not tell them so.

I recommend that you take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.

Never seem more learned than the people you are with. Wear your learning like a pocket watch and keep it hidden. Do not pull it out to count the hours, but give the time when you are asked.

Choose your pleasures for yourself, and do not let them be imposed upon you.

Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness; no laziness; no procrastination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

He makes people pleased with him by making them first pleased with themselves.

Whatever you do, do it to the purpose; do it thoroughly, not superficially. Go to the bottom of things. Any thing half done, or half known, is in my mind, neither done nor known at all. Nay, worse, for it often misleads.

There is hardly anybody good for everything, and there is scarcely anybody who is absolutely good for nothing.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

Learning is acquired by reading books, but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various facets of them.

I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.