Quote#Wisdom
The idle story of the Pretender's having been introduced in a…
Quote byPhilip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield · 1694–1773
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to his son (7 February 1749), quoted in The Life of Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield, His Poems and the Substance of the System of Education Delivered in a Series of Letters to His Son (1774), p. 183.
English (original)
The idle story of the Pretender's having been introduced in a warming-pan, into the Queen's bed, though as destitute of all probability as of all foundation, has been much more prejudicial to the cause of Jacobitism, than all that Mr. Locke and others have written, to show the unreasonableness and absurdity of the doctrines of indefeasible hereditary right, and unlimited passive obedience.
— Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
More from Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
At twelve you may walk, for at this time o' the year, The sun like your wit, is as mild, as 'tis clear: But mark in the meadows the ruin of Time; Take the hint, and let life be improv'd in its prime.
The chapter of knowledge is a very short, but the chapter of accidents is a very long one.
Unlike my subject will I frame my song, It shall be witty, and it shan't be long.
I assisted at the birth of that most significant word "flirtation," which dropped from the most beautiful mouth in the world.
I foresee, that before the end of this century, the trade of both King and Priest will not be half so good a one as it has been.
Cheerful with wisdom, with innocence gay, And calm with your joys gently glide thro' the day. The dews of the evening most carefully shun — Those tears of the sky for the loss of the sun.