Good manners are the settled medium of social, as specie is of commercial, life; returns are equally expected for both.
Lord ChesterfieldYoung men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough.
Lord ChesterfieldA cheerful, easy, open countenance will make fools think you a good-natured man, and make designing men think you an undesigning one.
Lord ChesterfieldNot to perceive the little weaknesses and the idle but innocent affectations of the company may be allowable as a sort of polite duty. The company will be pleased with you if you do, and most probably will not be reformed by you if you do not.
Lord ChesterfieldLittle minds mistake little objects for great ones, and lavish away upon the former that time and attention which only the latterdeserve. To such mistakes we owe the numerous and frivolous tribe of insect-mongers, shell-mongers, and pursuers and driers of butterflies, etc. The strong mind distinguishes, not only between the useful and the useless, but likewise between the useful and the curious.
Lord Chesterfield