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
A man of sense only trifles with them, plays with them, humors and flatters them, as he does with a sprightly and forward child; but he neither consults them about, nor trusts them with, serious matters.
Interpretation
What this quote means
It suggests that one should treat those who lack maturity or experience with care, keeping serious matters separate from them.
In this quote, Lord Chesterfield expresses the idea that individuals who possess wisdom and maturity recognize that not everyone is equipped to handle serious issues. Instead, they engage lightly with those who may be less experienced or less capable, similar to how one would interact with a spirited child, ensuring that important decisions are left to those who can understand and manage them.
Themes
WisdomTrustMaturitySeriousnessRelationship
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a leadership seminar to discuss trusting team members with important tasks.
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.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
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.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
Merit and knowledge will not gain hearts, though they will secure them when gained.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
Firmness of purpose is one of the best instruments of success.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
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.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
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