Lord Chesterfield

Never hold anyone by the button or the hand in order to be heard out; for if people are unwilling read more

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.

Prepare yourself for the world, as the athletes used to do for their exercise; oil your mind and your manners, read more

Prepare yourself for the world, as the athletes used to do for their exercise; oil your mind and your manners, to give them the necessary suppleness and flexibility; strength alone will not do.

The difference between a man of sense and a fop is that the fop values himself upon his dress; and read more

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 knows he must not neglect it.

Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough.

Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough.

Style is the dress of thoughts; and let them be ever so just, if your style is homely, coarse, and read more

Style is the dress of thoughts; and let them be ever so just, if your style is homely, coarse, and vulgar, they will appear to as much disadvantage, and be as ill received, as your person, though ever so well-proportioned, would if dressed in rags, dirt, and tatters.