Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes

The pleasure of expecting enjoyment is often greater than that of obtaining it, and the completion of almost every wish is found a disappointment.

Pleasure is often spoiled by describing it.

When I'm not thanked at all, I'm thanked enough, I've done my duty, and I've done no more.

Life contains but two tragedies. One is not to get your heart's desire; the other is to get it.

The trouble with most of the things that people want is that they get them.

I wish indeed I had any good advice to offer to your Majesty.

I named my first album 'The Sound of Revenge' because I wanted to get revenge on everyone who doubted me. But when I finally got revenge, I didn't enjoy it.

If you've ever done something you love and go do something you like, it's like chewing on sawdust.

Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, who so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility.

Pleasure disappoints; possibility never.

Many years ago a very wise man named Bernard Baruch took me aside and put his arm around my shoulder. "Harpo my boy," he said, "I'm going to give you three pieces of advice, three things you should always remember." My heart jumped and I glowed with expectation. I was going to hear the magic password to a rich, full life from the master himself. "Yes sir?" I said. And he told me the three things. I regret that I've forgotten what they were.

Doing stuff never feels as good as you hope it will feel.

We part more easily with what we possess, than with our expectations of what we wish for; because expectation always goes beyond enjoyment.

None would live past years again, Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain; And, from the dregs of life, think to receive, What the first sprightly running could not give.

If all our wishes were gratified, most of our pleasures would be destroyed.

One night you will ask me for something I cannot give.

That in all these worldly Things, that a Man pursues with the greatest Eagerness and Intention of Mind imaginable, he finds not half the Pleasure in the actual Possession of them, that he proposed to himself in the Expectation.

Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.

Between the wish and the thing the world lies waiting.

Self-realization is a comedown from salvation, but still gives us something to hope for.

If you give up what you want most for what you think you should want more, you'll end up miserable.

To be honest about it, sex was not worth the wait.

We obtain things when we no longer want them.

Don't wish,"said Rain, "don't start. Wishing only...