It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment; the former is never forgiven, but the later is sometimes forgotten. Lord Chesterfield More Quotes by Lord Chesterfield More Quotes From Lord Chesterfield Speak the language of the company you are in; speak it purely, and unlarded with any other. Lord Chesterfield company language speak Sincerity w the most compendious wisdom, an excellent instrument for the speedy despatch of business. It creates confidence in those we have to deal with, saves the labor of many inquiries, and brings things to an issue in few words. Lord Chesterfield inquiry few-words issues Whatever poets may write, or fools believe, of rural innocence and truth, and of the perfidy of courts, this is most undoubtedly true,--that shepherds and ministers are both men; their natures and passions the same, the modes of them only different. Lord Chesterfield passion writing believe Sincerity is the most compendious wisdom. Lord Chesterfield sincerity Great merit or great failings will make you respected or despised; but trifles, little attentions, mere nothings, either done or neglected, will make you either liked or disliked, in the general run of the world. Examine yourself, why you like such and such people and dislike such and such others; and you will find that those different sentiments proceed from very slight causes. Lord Chesterfield different running people 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. Lord Chesterfield talking long people I would have all intoleration intolerated in its turn. Lord Chesterfield turns Instead of giving in to the greatest misfortune that can happen at my age, deafness, I busy myself in searching out all possible compensations, and I apply myself much more to all the amusements that are here within my grasp. Lord Chesterfield amusement age giving Deafness produces bizarre effects, reversing the natural order of things; the interchange of letters is the conversation of the deaf, and the only link with society. I would be in despair, for instance, over seeing you speak, but, instead, I am only too happy to hear you write. Lord Chesterfield despair writing order A man of the best parts and greatest learning, if he does not know the world by his own experience and observation, will be very absurd, and consequently very unwelcome in company. He may say very good things; but they will be probably so ill-timed, misplaced, or improperly addressed, that he had much better hold his tongue. Lord Chesterfield doe men world If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition (or whatever is their prevailing passion) on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you. Lord Chesterfield passion pride ambition Dispatch is the soul of business. Lord Chesterfield business soul I assisted at the birth of that most significant word "flirtation," which dropped from the most beautiful mouth in the world. Lord Chesterfield mouths beautiful world There is hardly anybody good for everything, and there is scarcely anybody who is absolutely good for nothing. Lord Chesterfield Real merit of any kind cannot long be concealed; it will be discovered, and nothing can depreciate it but a man exhibiting it himself. It may not always be rewarded as it ought; but it will always be known. Lord Chesterfield real discovery men There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one thing, and is glad to talk about that one thing. Lord Chesterfield gains may knowledge Those whom you can make like themselves better will, I promise you, like you very well. Lord Chesterfield i-promise like-you promise A gentleman is often seen, but very seldom heard to laugh. Lord Chesterfield gentleman heard laughing We are hardly ever grateful for a fine clock or watch when it goes right, and we pay attention to it only when it falters, for then we are caught by surprise. It ought to be the other way about. Lord Chesterfield gratitude grateful watches Study the heart and the mind of man, and begin with your own. Meditation and reflection must lay the foundation of that knowledge, but experience and practice must, and alone can, complete it. Lord Chesterfield reflection heart men
