Conscious virtue is the only solid foundation of all happiness; for riches, power, rank, or whatever, in the common acceptation ofthe word, is supposed to constitute happiness, will never quiet, much less cure, the inward pangs of guilt. Lord Chesterfield More Quotes by Lord Chesterfield More Quotes From Lord Chesterfield The talent of insinuation is more useful than that of persuasion, as everybody is open to insinuation, but scarce any to persuasion. Lord Chesterfield persuasion gossip talent 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. Lord Chesterfield new-year heart believe Good breeding and good nature do incline us rather to help and raise people up to ourselves, than to mortify and depress them, and, in truth, our own private interest concurs in it, as it is making ourselves so many friends, instead of so many enemies. Lord Chesterfield friends depressing people If a marriage is going to work well, it must be on a solid footing, namely money, and of that commodity it is the girl with the smallest dowry who, to my knowledge, consumes the most, to infuriate her husband. All the same, it is only fair that the marriage should pay for past pleasures, since it will scarcely procure any in the future. Lord Chesterfield marriage money girl Pleasure is the rock which most young people split upon; they launch out with crowded sails in quest of it, but without a compassto direct their course, or reason sufficient to steer the vessel; for want of which, pain and shame, instead of pleasure, are the returns of their voyage. Lord Chesterfield rocks pain people A rake is a composition of all the lowest, most ignoble, degrading, and shameful vices; they all conspire to disgrace his character, and to ruin his fortune; while wine and the pox content which shall soonest and most effectually destroy his constitution. Lord Chesterfield wine drinking character I could wish there were a treaty made between the French and the English theatres, in which both parties should make considerableconcessions. The English ought to give up their notorious violations of the unities, and all their massacres, racks, dead bodies, and mangled carcasses, which they so frequently exhibit upon their stage. The French should engage to have more action, and less declamation, and not to cram and to crowd things together to almost a degree of impossibility from a too scrupulous adherence to the unities. Lord Chesterfield unity giving-up party Singularity is only pardonable in old age and retirement; I may now be as singular as I please, but you may not. Lord Chesterfield age may retirement I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it. Lord Chesterfield temptation age feelings Business by no means forbids pleasures; on the contrary, they reciprocally season each other; and I will venture to affirm, that no man enjoys either in perfection that does not join both. Lord Chesterfield perfection doe mean Nothing is more dissimilar than natural and acquired politeness. The first consists in a willing abnegation of self; the second in a compelled recollection of others. Lord Chesterfield self natural firsts Not to care for philosophy is to be a true philospher. Lord Chesterfield care wise philosophy People will no more advance their civility to a bear, than their money to a bankrupt. Lord Chesterfield civility bears people It is an undoubted truth, that the less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in. One yawns, one procrastinates, one can do it when one will, and therefore one seldom does it at all. Lord Chesterfield procrastinating doe can-do In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter. Lord Chesterfield laughter humorous funny Ridicule is the best test of truth. Lord Chesterfield ridicule tests truth Whoever incites anger has a strong insurance against indifference. Lord Chesterfield uprising anger strong Always make the best of the best, and never make bad worse. Lord Chesterfield best-of-the-best inspirational children Most people have ears, but few have judgment; tickle those ears, and depend upon it, you will catch their judgments, such as they are. Lord Chesterfield ears justice people Merit and knowledge will not gain hearts, though they will secure them when gained. Lord Chesterfield merit gains heart
