Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes
258 Sourced Quotes
Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
In matters of religion and matrimony I never give any advice; because I will not have anybody's torments in this world or the next laid to my charge.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
To have frequent recourse to narrative betrays great want of imagination.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Human nature is the same everywhere; the modes only are different.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
It is good breeding alone that can prepossess people in your favor at first sight, more time being necessary to discover greater talents.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
I wish to God that you had as much pleasure in following my advice, as I have in giving it to you.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
If you will please people, you must please them in their own way.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
So much are our minds influenced by the accidents of our bodies, that every man is more the man of the day than a regular and consequential character.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of 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.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
The dews of the evening most carefully shun —
Those tears of the sky for the loss of the sun.
Those tears of the sky for the loss of the sun.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Half the business is done, when one has gained the heart and the affections of those with whom one is to transact it.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Dispatch is the soul of business, and nothing contributes more to dispatch than method.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield