Philip Dormer Stanhope Quotes & Sayings

Be wiser than other people if you can; but do not tell them so. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

But a young man should be ambitious to shine, and excel; alert, active, and indefatigable in the means of doing it. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no delay, no procrastination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

There are several short intervals during the day, between studies and pleasures: instead of sitting idle and yawning, in those intervals, take up any book, though ever so trifling a one, even down to a jest-book; it is still better than doing nothing. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Ridicule is the best test of truth. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

I recommend you take care of the minutes: for hours take care of themselves — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Listen to everything that is said, and see everything that is done. Observe the looks and countenances of those who speak, which is often a surer way of discovering the truth than from what they say. But then keep all those observations to yourself, for your own private use, and rarely communicate them to others. Observe, without being thought an observer, for otherwise people will be upon their guard before you. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

A pleasing figure is a perpetual letter of recommendation. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

I wish to God that you had as much pleasure in following my advice, as I have in giving it to you. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

In matters of religion and matrimony I never give advice, because I will not have anybody's torments in this world or the next laid to my charge. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Never seem more learned than the people you are with. Wear your learning like a pocket watch and keep it hidden. Do not pull it out to count the hours, but give the time when you are asked. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Keep your own secret, and get out other people's. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Common sense is the best sense I know of — Philip Dormer Stanhope

There is nothing that people bear more impatiently, or forgive less, than contempt; and an injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

You will find that reason, which always ought to direct mankind, seldom does; but that passions and weaknesses commonly usurp its seat, and rule in its stead. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

In seeking wisdom thou art wise; in imagining that thou hast attained it - thou art a fool. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

I recommend to you to take care of the minutes; for hours will take care of themselves. I am very sure, that many people lose two or three hours every day, by not taking care of the minutes. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

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 they year, if you will do two things at a time. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Gratitude is a burden upon our imperfect nature, and we are but too willing to ease ourselves of it, or at least to lighten it as much as we can. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Advice is seldom welcome and those who need it the most like it the least. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it; it will counsel you best. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Lay down a method also for your reading; let it be in a consistent and consecutive course, and not in that desultory and unmethodical manner, in which many people read scraps of different authors, upon different subjects. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

We are really so prejudiced by our educations, that, as the ancients deified their heroes, we deify their madmen. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Words are the dress of thoughts; which should no more be presented in rags, tatters, and dirt than your person should. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Idleness is only the refuge of weak
minds, and the holiday of fools. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things, but cannot receive great ones. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

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

The steady and undissipated attention to one object is a sure mark of a superior genius; as hurry, bustle, and agitation are the never-failing symptoms of a weak and frivolous mind. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

A man is fit for neither business nor pleasure, who either cannot, or does not, command and direct his attention to the present object, and, in some degree, banish for that time all other objects from his thoughts. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

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

Honest error is to be pitied not ridiculed. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

The world is a country which nobody ever yet knew by description; one must travel through it one's self to be acquainted with it. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Pleasure is the rock which most young people split upon: they launch out with crowded sails in quest of it, but without a compass to direct their course, or reason sufficient to steer the vessel; for want of which, pain and shame, instead of pleasure, are the returns of their voyage. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

Let blockheads read what blockheads wrote. — Philip Dormer Stanhope

If you have an hour, will you not improve that hour, instead of idling it away? — Philip Dormer Stanhope