Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes

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A young fellow ought to be wiser than he should seem to be; and an old fellow ought to seem wise whether he really be so or not.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Violent measures are always dangerous, but, when necessary, may then be looked on as wise. They have, however, the advantage of never being matter of indifference; and, when well concerted, must be decisive.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Spirit is now a very fashionable word: to act with Spirit, to speak with Spirit, means only to act rashly, and to talk indiscreetly. An able man shows his Spirit by gentle words and resolute actions; he is neither hot nor timid.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Enjoy pleasures, but let them be your own, and then you will taste them.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
In business be as able as you can, but do not be cunning; cunning is the dark sanctuary of incapacity.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
I do not think that a Physician should be admitted into the College till he could bring proofs of his having cured, in his own person, at least four incurable distempers.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
There is a sort of veteran women of condition, who, having lived always in the grand mode, and having possibly had some gallantries, together with the experience of five and twenty or thirty years, form a young fellow better than all the rules that can be given him.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
It is hard to say which is the greatest fool: he who tells the whole truth, or he who tells no truth at all. Character is as necessary in business as in trade. No man can deceive often in either.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield