Letters to His Son

by Lord Chesterfield
Letters to His Son cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technical
  • ID: 85
  • Added: 2025-09-02
  • Updated: 2025-09-02
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Remember the Graces · 2020-01-01
insightful 4.25

The letters provide practical and moral advice, emphasizing honesty, hard work, and authenticity without pretension, balancing good manners with genuine character.

These letters are praised for their practical guidance on personal conduct and social success, avoiding Machiavellian cynicism despite a sharp political mind. The author stresses the importance of truthfulness, condemning lies and deceit, and encourages his son to be genuine rather than affect a false character, highlighting that good manners must be rooted in authentic virtues and morals. This perspective offers a balanced view of navigating aristocratic society while maintaining ethical integrity.

Quick quotes

    No Man is ridiculous for being what he really is, but for affecting to be what he is not.

    Truth, but not the whole truth, must be the invariable principle of every man who hath either religion, honour, or prudence.

    Lies and perfidy are the refuge of fools and cowards.

Goodreads · 2019-01-01
complex 3.75

The letters reveal a complex father-son dynamic with a mix of affection and high expectations, reflecting political savvy and social strategy alongside personal challenges.

This review highlights the tension between Lord Chesterfield's affection and his demanding expectations for his son, who appears awkward and under pressure throughout his upbringing. The letters deliver practical advice on social maneuvering and political life, but also expose the son's struggles to meet his father's standards, culminating in a somewhat strained relationship. Despite the challenges, Chesterfield's kindness emerges, especially in his defense of his son’s political missteps and his fondness for his grandchildren, adding depth to his character beyond mere etiquette and strategy.

Quick quotes

    Amazing book packed with father's genuine affection to his son, practical advice, medieval etiquettes, and 16th century politics.

    Chesterfield defends him. His letter, consoling him over this disastrous speech, is almost kind.

    Chesterfield, during the early years of his son's life, alternately cajoles and threatens him into shape - wanting, it soon becomes clear, the impossible from the poor lad.

Ambleside Online · 2018-01-01
principled 4.00

The letters emphasize tolerance, truth, and the moral imperative to avoid lying, advocating for charity towards differing opinions and sincerity in conduct.

This perspective appreciates Chesterfield's ethical guidance, especially his tolerance toward sincere but mistaken beliefs and his strong condemnation of lying as a vice born of malice, cowardice, or vanity. The letters counsel a compassionate understanding of others' viewpoints while maintaining a clear line on honesty and integrity. The moral reflections here add a thoughtful dimension to Chesterfield’s advice, blending practical social skills with a principled approach to character and truth.

Quick quotes

    Every man's reason is, and must be, his guide.

    Truth is therefore as unjust to persecute as it is absurd to ridicule people for those several opinions which they cannot help entertaining upon the conviction of their reason.

    I really know nothing more criminal, more mean, and more ridiculous than lying.

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