Top 77 Quotes by Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

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.

To have frequent recourse to narrative betrays great want of imagination.

Knowledge of the world in only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet.

Sex: the pleasure is momentary, the position ridiculous, and the expense damnable.

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.

Swift speedy time, feathered with flying hours, Dissolves the beauty of the fairest brow.

Idleness is only the refuge of weak minds.

I find, by experience, that the mind and the body are more than married, for they are most intimately united; and when one suffers, the other sympathizes.

The heart never grows better by age; I fear rather worse, always harder. A young liar will be an old one, and a young knave will only be a greater knave as he grows older.

A wise man will live as much within his wit as within his income.