Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield - People Quotes
40 Sourced Quotes
I recommend to you, in my last, an innocent piece of art: that of flattering people behind their backs, in presence of those who, to make their own court, much more than for your sake, will not fail to repeat, and even amplify, the praise to the party concerned. This is of all flattery the most pleasing, and consequently the most effectual.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Most people have ears, but few have judgment; tickle those ears, and depend upon it, you will catch their judgments, such as they are.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
He makes people pleased with him by making them first pleased with themselves.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
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.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
I…could not help reflecting in my way upon the singular ill-luck of this my dear country, which, as long as ever I remember it, and as far back as I have read, has always been governed by the only two or three people, out of two or three millions, totally incapable of governing, and unfit to be trusted.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
People will no more advance their civility to a bear, than their money to a bankrupt.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Every man becomes, to a certain degree, what the people he generally converses with are.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give luster, and many more people see than weigh.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Be wiser than other people if you can; but do not tell them so.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
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.
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
If you will please people, you must please them in their own way.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
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