The Letters of the Earl of Chesterfield to His Son, Volume 2

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Page 256 - In some fair body thus th' informing soul With spirits feeds, with vigour fills the whole, Each motion guides, and every nerve sustains; Itself unseen, but in th' effects remains. Some, to whom Heaven in wit has been profuse, Want as much more to turn it to its use; For wit and judgment often are at strife, Though meant each other's aid, like man and wife.
Page 421 - The situation which Pitt occupied at the close of the reign of George the Second was the most enviable ever occupied by any public man in English history. He had conciliated the King ; he domineered over the House of Commons ; he was adored by the people; he was admired by all Europe. He was the first Englishman of his time ; and he had made England the first country in the world.
Page 130 - I informed, because I pleased them : and many of them said that I had made the whole very clear to them ; when, God knows, I had not even attempted it. Lord Macclesfield, who had the greatest share in forming the bill, and who is one of the greatest mathematicians and astronomers in Europe, spoke afterwards with infinite knowledge, and all the clearness that so intricate a matter would admit of; but as his words, his periods, and his utterance were not near BO good as mine, the preference was most...
Page 458 - Everybody is puzzled how to account for this step ; though it would not be the first time that great abilities have been duped by low cunning. But be it what it will, he is now certainly only Earl of Chatham ; and no longer Mr. Pitt, in any respect whatever.
Page 120 - There is a man, whose moral character, deep learning, and superior parts, I acknowledge, admire, and respect ; but whom it is so impossible for me to love, that I am almost in a fever whenever I am in his company. His figure (without being deformed) seems made to disgrace or ridicule the common structure of the human body.
Page 12 - Know the true value of time ; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination ; never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.
Page 131 - This will ever be the case ; every numerous assembly is moli, let the individuals who compose it be what they will. Mere reason and good sense is never to be talked to a mob ; their passions, their sentiments, their senses, and their seeming interests, are alone to be applied to.
Page 297 - Patience is a most necessary qualification for business; many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request.
Page 41 - Buy good books, and read them ; the best books are the commonest, and the last editions are always the best, if the editors are not blockheads ; for they may profit of the former. But take care not to understand editions and title-pages too well. It always smells of pedantry, and not always of learning.
Page 69 - A man who owes so little, can clear it off in a very little time, and if he is a prudent man, will ; whereas a man, who by long negligence owes a great deal, despairs of ever being able to pay ; and therefore never looks into his accounts at all.

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