Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1746-47 Quotes

“Idleness is only the refuge of weak
minds, and the holiday of fools.”
― Philip Dormer Stanhope, Letters to His Son, 1746-47

“you are whatever the company you keep is.”
― Philip Dormer Stanhope, Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1746-47

“Learning is acquired by reading books, but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of
the world is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various editions of them.”
― Philip Dormer Stanhope, Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1746-47

“errors and mistakes, however gross, in matters of opinion, if they are sincere, are to be pitied, but not punished nor laughed at. The blindness of the understanding is as much to be pitied as the blindness of the eye; and there is neither jest nor guilt in a man's losing his way in either case. Charity bids us set him right if we can, by arguments and persuasions; but charity, at the same time, forbids, either to punish or ridicule his misfortune.”
― Philip Dormer Stanhope, Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1746-47

“There is time enough for everything, in the course of the day, if you do but one thing at once; but there is not time enough in the year, if you will do two things at a time.”
― Philip Dormer Stanhope, Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1746-47

“As your affection for me can only proceed from your experience and conviction of my fondness for you (for to talk of natural affection is talking nonsense), the only return I desire is, what it is chiefly your interest to make me; I mean your invariable practice of virtue, and your indefatigable pursuit of knowledge. Adieu! and be persuaded that I shall love you extremely, while you deserve it; but not one moment longer.”
― Philip Dormer Stanhope, Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1746-47

“Take warning then by them: choose your pleasures for yourself, and do not let them be imposed upon you. Follow nature and not fashion: weigh the present enjoyment of your pleasures against the necessary consequences of them, and then let your own common sense determine your choice. Were”
― Philip Dormer Stanhope, Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1746-47