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
For my own part, I would rather be in company with a dead man than with an absent one; for if the dead man gives me no pleasure, at least he shows me no contempt; whereas the absent one, silently indeed, but very plainly, tells me that he does not think me worth his attention.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a preference for dead companions over those who are absent, as absence implies disregard.
Lord Chesterfield's quote highlights the emotional pain of being neglected by those who choose to be absent. He suggests that even though the dead cannot provide companionship or joy, they also do not convey contempt or indifference, which makes the absence of a person far more hurtful, as it reflects an absence of value or importance placed on one's presence.
Themes
RelationshipsAbsenceContemptCompanionshipNeglect
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the importance of valuing friendships, one can use this quote to emphasize how absence can hurt relationships.
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
Similar quotes
Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal feeling.
Abraham LincolnRead
A lot of guys are very intimidated by an attractive woman, and they dehumanise her because our culture perceives beautiful women as commodities. But I think if you're able walk up to a person and get to know them, and you see their flaws and their impurities, and realise that they're like you, then you can humanise them again.
Neil StraussRead
I place an enormous premium on loyalty. If someone betrays me, I can forgive them rationally, but emotionally I have found it impossible to do so.
Richard E. GrantRead
Although a skillful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you have him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people.
Charles DickensRead
Canada and the United States have reached the point where we no longer think of each other as 'foreign' countries. We think of each other as friends, as peaceful and cooperative neighbors on a spacious and fruitful continent.
Harry S. TrumanRead
Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people. But it takes time and patience.
Stephen CoveyRead