Quotes by Lord Chesterfield

"Take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves."

"I knew once a very covetous, sordid fellow, who used to say, “Take care of the pence, for the pounds will take care of themselves.”"

"It is an undoubted truth, that the less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in. One yawns, one procrastinates, one can do it when one will, and therefore one seldom does it at all."

"No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."

"If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself."

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

"Good manners are the settled medium of social, as specie is of commercial, life; returns are equally expected for both."

"In my mind there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.… I am neither of a melancholy, nor a cynical disposition, and am as willing and as apt to be pleased as anybody; but I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason, nobody has ever heard me laugh."

"An injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult."

"Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him."

"Men are much more unwilling to have their weaknesses and their imperfections known than their crimes."

"Advice is seldom welcome; and those who want it the most always like it the least."

"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."

"The world is a country which nobody ever yet knew by description one must travel through it one's self to be acquainted with it."

"Know the true value of time snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today."

"In matters of religion and matrimony I never give any advice because I will not have anybody's torments in this world or the next laid to my charge."

"The only solid and lasting peace between a man and his wife is, doubtless, a separation."

"Good breeding is the result of good sense, some good nature, and a little self-denial for the sake of others."

"Men, as well as women, are much oftener led by their hearts than by their understandings."

"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."