Lord Chesterfield

Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

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.

There is a sort of veteran woman of condition, who, having lived always in the grand monde, and having possibly read more

There is a sort of veteran woman of condition, who, having lived always in the grand monde, and having possibly had some gallantries, together with the experience of five and twenty or thirty years, form a young fellow better than all the rules that can be given him. Wherever you go, make some of those women your friends; which a very little matter will do. Ask their advice, tell them your doubts or difficulties as to your behavior; but take great care not to drop one word of their experience; for experience implies age, and the suspicion of age, no woman, let her be ever so old, ever forgives.

A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners.

A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners.