Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day. Lord Chesterfield on time
Remember, as long as you live, that nothing but strict truth can carry you through the world, with either your conscience or your honor unwounded. Lord Chesterfield on truth
Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them so. Lord Chesterfield on wisdom
The human race, to which so many of my readers belong, has been playing at children's games from the beginning, and will probably do it till the end, which is a nuisance for the few people who grow up. And one of the games which it is most attached is called, "Keep tomorrow dark," and which is also named (by the rustics in Shropshire, I have no doubt) "Cheat the Prophet." The players listen very carefully and respectfully to all that the clever men have to say about what is to happen in the next generation. The players then wait until all the clever men are dead, and bury them nicely. Then they go and do something else. That is all. For a race of simple tastes, however, it is great fun. G.K. Chesterson on change
Hollywood is a place where people from Iowa mistake each other for a star. Fred Allen on movies
...But nature does not say that cats are more valuable than mice; nature makes no remark on the subject. She does not even say that the cat is enviable or the mouse pitiable. We think the cat superior because we have (or most of us have) a particular philosophy to the effect that life is better than death. But if the mouse were a German pessimist mouse, he might not think that the cat had beaten him at all. He might think he had beaten the cat by getting to the grave first. G.K. Chesterton on animals
No animal ever invented anything as bad as drunkeness or as good as drink. G.K. Chesterton on animals
Brave men are all vertebrates; they have their softness on the surface and their toughness in the middle. G.K. Chesterton on courage
Courage is almost a contradiction in terms: it means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die. G.K. Chesterton on courage
I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act. G.K. Chesterton on destiny
When you have really exhausted an experience you always reverence and love it. G.K. Chesterton on experience
We ought to see far enough into a hypocrite to see even his sincerity. G.K. Chesterton on hypocrisy
Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all. G.K. Chesterton on inspiration
The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost. G.K. Chesterton on love
A diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials. Chinese Proverb on adversity
Sincere advice may offend the ear but is beneficial to one’s conduct. Chinese Proverb on advice
Honest advice is unpleasant to the ears. Chinese Proverb on advice
Good words by the third time will even bore the dogs. Chinese Proverb on bore
Never discuss public business while drinking. Chinese Proverb on business
Public business should be conducted publicly. Chinese Proverb on business