A biography for Philip Stanhopehasn’t been written yet.
“A young man, be his merit what it will, can never raise himself; but must, like the ivy round the oak, twine himself round some man of great power and interest.”
“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.”
“In seeking wisdom thou art wise; in imagining that thou hast attained it - thou art a fool.”
“I look upon indolence as a sort of suicide; for the man is effectually destroyed, though the appetites of the brute may survive.”
“Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him.”
“Good breeding is the result of good sense, some good nature, and a little self-denial for the sake of others.”
“Words, which are the dress of thoughts, deserve surely more care than clothes, which are only the dress of the person.”
“As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless.”
“Patience is the most necessary quality for business, many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.”
“Honest error is to be pitied, not ridiculed.”
“Custom has made dancing sometimes necessary for a young man; therefore mind it while you learn it, that you may learn to do it well, and not be ridiculous, though in a ridiculous act.”
“The more one works, the more willing one is to work.”
“I am very sure that any man of common understanding may, by culture, care, attention, and labor, make himself what- ever he pleases, except a great poet.”
“Whoever incites anger has a strong insurance against indifference.”
“Good humor is the health of the soul, sadness is its poison.”
“Young men are apt to think themselves wise enough, as drunken men are apt to think themselves sober enough.”
“Swift speedy time, feathered with flying hours, Dissolves the beauty of the fairest brow.”
“Knowledge of the world in only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet.”
“Pleasure is a necessary reciprocal. No one feels, who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please. What pleases you in others, will in general please them in you.”
“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.”