Lord Chesterfield Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Lord Chesterfield quotes, Lord Chesterfield sayings, and Lord Chesterfield proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

A certain degree of ceremony is a necessary outwork of manners, as well as of religion; it keeps the forward and petulant at a proper distance, and is a very small restraint to the sensible and to the well bred part of the world. Lord 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. Lord Chesterfield
Politeness is as much concerned in answering letters within a reasonable time, as it is in returning a bow, immediately. Lord Chesterfield
Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way in the world, without them it is like a great rough diamond, very well in a closet by way of curiosity, and also for its intrinsic value; but most prized when polished. Lord Chesterfield
A joker is near akin to a buffoon; and neither of them is the least related to wit. Lord Chesterfield
Little vicious minds abound with anger and revenge and are incapable of feeling te pleasure of forgiving their enemies. Lord Chesterfield
Little vicious minds abound with anger and revenge and are incapable of feeling te pleasure of forgiving their enemies. Lord Chesterfield
Indifference is commonly the mother of discretion. Lord Chesterfield
Artichoke: That vegetable of which one has more at the finish than at the start of dinner. Lord Chesterfield
Awkwardness is a more real disadvantage than it is generally thought to be; it often occasions ridicule, it always lessens dignity. Lord Chesterfield
In business be as able as you can, but do not be cunning; cunning is the dark sanctuary of incapacity. Lord Chesterfield
A joker is near akin to a buffoon; and neither of them is the least related to wit. Lord Chesterfield
Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him. Lord Chesterfield
Smooth your way to the head, through the heart. The way of reason is a good one; but it is commonly something longer, and perhaps not so sure. Lord Chesterfield
The only solid and lasting peace between a man and his wife is, doubtless, a separation. Lord Chesterfield
Never hold anyone by the button, or the hand, in order to be heard out; for if people are unwilling to hear you, you had better hold your tongue than them Lord Chesterfield
Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves. Lord Chesterfield
The difference between a man of sense and a fop is that the fop values himself upon his dress; and the man of sense laughs at it, at the same time he know he must not neglect it. Lord Chesterfield
Being pretty on the inside means you don’t hit your brother and you eat all your peas – that’s what my grandma taught me. Lord Chesterfield
If you can 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
Knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in the closet. Lord Chesterfield
Never seem more learned than the people you are with. Wear your learning like a pocket watch and keep it hidden. Do not pull it out to count the hours, but give the time when you are asked. Lord Chesterfield
Being pretty on the inside means you don’t hit your brother and you eat all your peas – that’s what my grandma taught me. Lord Chesterfield
Good humor is the health of the soul, sadness is its poison. Lord Chesterfield
Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh. Lord Chesterfield
If we do not plant knowledge when young, it will give us no shade when we are old. Lord Chesterfield
A weak mind is like a horoscope, which magnifies trifling things but cannot receive great ones. Lord Chesterfield
Loud laughter is the mirth of the mob, who are only pleased with silly things; for true wit or good sense never excited a laugh since the creation of the world. A man of party and fashion, therefore, is only seen to smile, but never heard to laugh. Lord Chesterfield
One should always think of what one is about; when one is learning one should not think of play; and when one is at play, one should not think of one's learning. Lord Chesterfield
When you have found out the prevailing passion of any man, remember never to trust him where that passion is concerned. Lord Chesterfield