Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it; it will counsel you best.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
Let your enemies be disarmed by the gentleness of your manner, but let them feel at the same time the steadiness of your just resentment for there is a great difference between bearing malice, which is always ungenerous, and a resolute self-defense which is ever prudent and justifiable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Manage conflicts with kindness while standing firm in your principles.
This quote emphasizes the importance of responding to adversaries with gentleness rather than hostility while also maintaining a strong sense of personal justice. It distinguishes between unjust malice and the rightful defense of oneself, suggesting that true strength lies in the balance of kindness and assertiveness.
Themes
GentlenessSteadinessJust ResentmentSelf-DefenseMalice
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be perfect for a conflict resolution workshop.
More from Lord Chesterfield
All quotes →Never seem wiser, nor more learned, than the people you are with. Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket: and do not merely pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one.
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If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.
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Merit and knowledge will not gain hearts, though they will secure them when gained.
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Firmness of purpose is one of the best instruments of success.
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Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share of it in another.
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