Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Quotes

There is an insolence which none but those who themselves deserve contempt can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.

I once met a man who had forgiven an injury. I hope some day to meet the man who has forgiven an insult.

I get angry when people bring derisory actions against me.

I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.

He who allows himself to be insulted deserves to be.

An inquiry is much sooner forgotten than an insult.

I don't talk to scum.

I was a kitchen porter for an hour at the Bank of England when I was 18. In the cafe, someone clicked their fingers and shouted, 'Boy, come and clear my table.' I walked out.

You should not bear insults.

Wrongs are often forgiven; but contempt never is. Our pride remembers it forever.

It is hard to be modest at times like these so I won't even try...you are all shite!

Sometimes we can take offense so easily. On other occasions we are too stubborn to accept a sincere apology. Who will subordinate ego, pride, and hurt-then step forward with 'I am truly sorry! Let's be as we once were: friends. Let's not pass to future generations the grievances, the anger of our time'? Let's remove any hidden wedges that can do nothing but destroy.

It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment; the former is never forgiven, but the later is sometimes forgotten.

Women forgive injuries, but never forget slights.

I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would be an affront to your intelligence.

A stiff apology is a second insult... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt.

To confer dignity, forgive. To express contempt, forget.

An injured friend is the bitterest of foes.

There is no ghost so difficult to lay as the ghost of an injury.

An apology? Bah! Disgusting! Cowardly! Beneath the dignity of any gentleman, however wrong he might be.

Insult is powerful. Insult begets both rage and humor and often at the same time.

Kiss my ass!

Freedom of Expression stops where it can do harm …. My community is humiliated, my religion is insulted. I ask for justice.

And you, madam, are ugly, but I shall be sober in the morning.

that slab-faced bastard.