Either a good or a bad reputation outruns andets before people wherever they go.
¶ (Attributed)
Quotations by ...
Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) English statesman, wit [Philip Dormer Stanhope]
Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.
¶ (Attributed)
Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough. They look upon spirit to be a much better thing than experience, which they call coldness. They are but half mistaken; for though spirit without experience is dangerous, experience without spirit is languid and defective.
¶ Letter to his son (15 Jan. 1743)
Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket; and do not pull it out and strike it, merely to show that you have one. If you are asked what o'clock it is, tell it; but do not proclaim it hourly and unasked, like the watchman.
¶ Letter to his son (22 Feb. 1748)
Good manners are the settled medium of social, as specie is of commercial, life; returns are equally expected for both.
¶ Letter to his son (25 Dec. 1753)
Be wiser than other people if you can; but do not tell them so.
¶ Letter to his son (29 Nov. 1745)
I recommend you to take care of the minutes: for hours will take care of themselves.
¶ Letter to his son (6 Nov. 1747)
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.
¶ Letter to his son (8 Feb. 1746)
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