Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes & Sayings

“A young man, be his merit what it will, can never raise himself; but must, like the ivy round the oak, twine himself round some man of great power and interest.”

“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.”

“Never seem wiser, nor more learned, than the people you are with. Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket: and do not merely pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one.”

“Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.”

“Our prejudices are our mistresses; reason is at best our wife, very often heard indeed, but seldom minded.”

“Character must be kept bright as well as clean.”

“Every man becomes, to a certain degree, what the people he generally converses with are.”

“He makes people pleased with him by making them first pleased with themselves.”

“I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.”

“Remember, as long as you live, that nothing but strict truth can carry you through the world, with either your conscience or your honor unwounded.”