Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield - Company Quotes

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For my own part, I would rather be in company with a dead man than with an absent one; for if the dead man gives me no pleasure, at least he shows me no contempt; whereas the absent one, silently indeed, but very plainly, tells me that he does not think me worth his attention.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
An ignorant man is insignificant and contemptible; nobody cares for his company, and he can just be said to live, and that is all.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Religion is by no means a proper subject of conversation in a mixed company.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Pocket all your knowledge with your watch, and never pull it out in company unless desired.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Take the tone of the company that you are in.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Never yield to that temptation, which, to most young men, is very strong, of exposing other people's weaknesses and infirmities, for the sake either of diverting the company, or of showing your own superiority. You may get the laugh on your side by it for the present; but you will make enemies by it for ever; and even those who laugh with you then, will, upon reflection, fear, and consequently hate you.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Talk often, but never long; in that case, if you do not please, at least you are sure not to tire your hearers. Pay your own reckoning, but do not treat the whole company; this being one of the few cases in which people do not care to be treated, every one being fully convinced that he has wherewithal to pay.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
A man of sense soon discovers, because he carefully observes, where and how long he is welcome; and takes care to leave the company at least as soon as he is wished out of it. Fools never perceive whether they are ill timed or ill placed.

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
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 can;but never pretend to give the tone. A free conversation will no more bear a dictator than a free government will.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Endeavor, as much as you can, to keep company with people above you.... Do not mistake, when I say company above you, and think that I mean with regard to their birth; that is the least consideration; but I mean with regard to their merit, and the light in which the world considers them.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Speak the language of the company you are in; speak it purely, and unlarded with any other.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
The company of women of fashion will improve your manners, though not your understanding; and that complaisance and politeness, which are so useful in men's company, can only be acquired in women's.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Choose the company of your superiors whenever you can have it.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield