A young man, be his merit what it will, can never raise himself; but must, like the ivy round the oak, twine himself round some man of great power and interest.
Philip 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 Stanhope

In the mass of mankind, I fear, there is too great a majority of fools and knaves; who, singly from their number, must to a certain degree be respected, though they are by no means respectable.
Philip Stanhope

It is always right to detect a fraud, and to perceive a folly; but it is very often wrong to expose either. A man of business should always have his eyes open, but must often seem to have them shut.
Philip Stanhope

Judgment is not upon all occasions required, but discretion always is.
Philip Stanhope

Most people enjoy the inferiority of their best friends.
Philip Stanhope

Our prejudices are our mistresses; reason is at best our wife, very often heard indeed, but seldom minded.
Philip Stanhope

Politeness is as much concerned in answering letters within a reasonable time, as it is in returning a bow, immediately.
Philip 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 the year, if you will do two things at a time.
Philip Stanhope

Whoever incites anger has a strong insurance against indifference.
Philip Stanhope


Women are only children of a larger growth. A man of sense only trifles with them, plays with them, humours and flatters them, as he does with a sprightly and forward child; but he neither consults them about, nor trusts them with, serious matters.
Philip Stanhope

Words, which are the dress of thoughts, deserve surely more care than clothes, which are only the dress of the person.
Philip Stanhope