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Arbitrary power has seldom... been introduced in any country at once. It must be introduced by slow degrees, and as it were step by step.

Lord Chesterfield

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Lord Chesterfield
Terrorism
Degrees
Step
Steps
Power
Introduced
Country
Arbitrary
Must
Seldom
Slow

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When a man is once in fashion, all he does is right.
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This is the day when people reciprocally offer, and receive, the kindest and the warmest wishes, though, in general, without meaning them on one side, or believing them on the other. They are formed by the head, in compliance with custom, though disavowed by the heart, in consequence of nature.
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Human nature is the same everywhere the modes only are different.
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Nothing convinces persons of a weak understanding so effectually, as what they do not comprehend.
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Learn to shrink yourself to the size of the company you are in. Take their tone, whatever it may be, and excell in it if you canbut never pretend to give the tone. A free conversation will no more bear a dictator than a free government will.
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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.
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To take a wife merely as an agreeable and rational companion, will commonly be found to be a grand mistake.
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It is to be presumed, that a man of common sense, who does not desire to please, desires nothing at all since he must know that he cannot obtain anything without it.
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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.
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I sometimes give myself admirable advice, but I am incapable of taking it.
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Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it it will counsel you best.
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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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We are really so prejudiced by our educations, that, as the ancients deified their heroes, we deify their madmen.
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Keep your hands clean and pure from the infamous vice of corruption, a vice so infamous that it degrades even the other vices thatmay accompany it. Accept no present whatever let your character in that respect be transparent and without the least speck, for as avarice is the vilest and dirtiest vice in private, corruption is so in public life.
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Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.
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Those whom you can make like themselves better will, I promise you, like you very well.
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If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.
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Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where the exchange is always greatly in favor of the drawer.
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Swift speedy time, feathered with flying hours, Dissolves the beauty of the fairest brow.
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