Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes

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.

Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them so.

Have more than you show, Speak less than you know.

One of the most beneficial things I've ever learned is how to keep my mouth shut.

Lord, give us the wisdom to utter words that are gentle and tender, for tomorrow we may have to eat them.

If You are mighty, gain respect through knowledge and gentleness of speech. Do not command except as is fitting.

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.

I know to shut up when I don't know what I'm talking about.

It requires no small degree of ability to know when to conceal one's ability.

Knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste.

Next to power without honor, the most dangerous thing in the world is power without humor.

There is a time to speak and a time to listen, and sometimes people need to shut up.

He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees.

Don't fall in love with your wit. Your cleverly turned phrase may not, as you hope, show off how much gray matter you have, especially if the phrase is at someone else's expense.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

True wisdom listens more, talks less and can get along with all types of people.

It is more noble by silence to avoid an injury than by argument to overcome it.

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

I tell it like it is, but I don't voice my opinion unless it's asked for.

My best attribute is knowing when not to answer stupid questions.

The chief prerequisite for a escort is to have a flexible conscience and an inflexible politeness.

Choose silence of all virtues, for by it you hear other men's imperfections, and conceal your own.

Be smarter than other people, just don't tell them so.

I think what is British about me is my feelings and awareness of others and their situations. English people are always known to be well mannered and cold but we are not cold - we don't interfere in your situation. If we are heartbroken, we don't scream in your face with tears - we go home and cry on our own.

I am a big one for subtlety and empathy. My dad was softly spoken and didn't carry his honours and accomplishments for everyone to see.