Quote

Letters should be easy and natural, and convey to the persons to whom we send them just what we should say to the persons if we were with them.

Lord Chesterfield

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Lord Chesterfield
Send
Letters
Natural
Easy
Persons
Convey

More quotes by Lord Chesterfield

Image
I really know nothing more criminal, more mean, and more ridiculous than lying. It is the production either of malice, cowardice, or vanity and generally misses of its aim in every one of these views for lies are always detected, sooner or later.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
I am provoked at the contempt which most historians show for humanity in general one would think by them, that the whole human species consisted but of about a hundred and fifty people, called and dignified (commonly very undeservedly too) by the titles of Emperors, Kings, Popes, Generals, and Ministers.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
If you are not in fashion, you are nobody.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
An injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
If you have an hour, will you not improve that hour, instead of idling it away?
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Very ugly or very beautiful women should be flattered on their understanding, and mediocre ones on their beauty.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Ceremony is necessary in Courts, as the outwork and defense of manners.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
It seems to me that physical sickness softens, just as moral sickness hardens, the heart.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Armies, though always the supporters and tools of absolute power for the time being, are always the destroyers of it too by frequently changing the hands in which they think proper to lodge it.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Sexual intercourse is a grossly overrated pastime the position is undignified, the pleasure momentary and the consequences damnable.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Be your character what it will, it will be known, and nobody will take it upon your word.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
The value of moments, when cast up, is immense, if well employed if thrown away, their loss is irrecoverable.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
In order to judge of the inside of others, study your own for men in general are very much alike and though one has one prevailing passion, and another has another, yet their operations are much the same and whatever engages or disgusts, pleases or offends you, in others, will, mutatis mutandis, engage, disgust, please, or offend others, in you.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Women especially as to be talked to as below men, and above children.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Politicians neither love nor hate. Interest, not sentiment, directs them.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
I wish... that you had as much pleasure in following my advice, as I have in giving it.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Those whom you can make like themselves better will, I promise you, like you very well.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it it will counsel you best.
Lord Chesterfield
Image
Nothing convinces persons of a weak understanding so effectually, as what they do not comprehend.
Lord Chesterfield