Lord Chesterfield Quotes About Wit
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A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share in another.
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It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I deny it. A truth learned in a certain light, and attacked in certain words, by men of wit and humor, may, and often doth, become ridiculous, at least so far, that the truth is only remembered and repeated for the sake of the ridicule.
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A wise man will live as much within his wit as within his income.
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Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share of it in another.
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It is by vivacity and wit that man shines in company; but trite jokes and loud laughter reduce him to a buffoon.
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A wise man will live as much within his wit as his income.... Bear this truth always in your mind, that you may be admired for your wit, if you have any; but that nothing but good sense and good qualities can make you be loved.
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I always put these pert jackanapeses out of countenance by looking extremely grave when they expect that I should laugh at their pleasantries; and by saying Well, and so?--as if they had not done, and that the sting were still to come. This disconcerts them, as they have no resources in themselves, and have but one set of jokes to live upon.
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Loud laughter is the mirth of the mob, who are only pleased with silly things; for true Wit or good Sense never excited a laugh since the creation of the world. A man of parts and fashion is therefore often seen to smile, but never heard to laugh.
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Remember that the wit, humour, and jokes of most mixed companies are local. They thrive in that particular soil, but will not often bear transplanting.
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A joker is near akin to a buffoon; and neither of them is the least related to wit.
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Women's beauty, like men's wit, is generally fatal to the owners.
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I love every-day senses, every-day wit and entertainment; a man who is only good on holidays, is good for very little.
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If you have wit, use it to please and not to hurt: you may shine like the sun in the temperate zones without scorching.
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Lord Chesterfield
- Born: September 22, 1694
- Died: March 24, 1773
- Occupation: British Statesman
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