Why not add this to your bookmarks?
Whoever is admitted or sought for, in company, upon any other account than that of his merit and manners, is never respected there, but only made use of. We will have such-a-one, for he sings prettily; we will invite such-a-one to a ball, for he dances well; we will have such-a-one at supper, for he is always joking and laughing; we will ask another because he plays deep at all games, or because he can drink a great deal. These are all vilifying distinctions, mortifying preferences, and exclude all ideas of esteem and regard. Whoever is had (as it is called) in company for the sake of any one thing singly, is singly that thing, and will never be considered in any other light; consequently never respected, let his merits be what they will. 
Chesterfield, Lord
Excerpt from Complete Project Gutenberg Earl of Chesterfield Works ·
This quote is tagged Guests ·
Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation.
Chat about this quote in the Village Inn
Share corrections or notes in the village Library
A little bit about Chesterfield, Lord
The Earls of Chesterfield were an aristocratic family from Derbyshire, England. Their ancestral seat is Bretby Hall at Bretby, Derbyshire, and their family name is "Stanhope". Upon the death of the thirteenth Earl, the title became extinct, as no more male descendants of the first Earl were living. · Can we improve this biography? Post your version
More on the Author
These people bookmarked this quote:
- Nobody has bookmarked this quote yet.
More on the author
This quote around the web
Loading...
More on this author
Quote added by staff