Who said “Never seem wiser, nor more learned, than the people you are with. Wear your learning,…”?

Verified

Lord Chesterfield. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman (1774), 22 February 1748

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“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 pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one.”
VerifiedLetters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman (1774), 22 February 1748 · evidenceLearning

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman (1774), 22 February 1748.

APA

Chesterfield, L. (n.d.). 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 pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22768-never-seem-wiser-nor-more-learned-than-the/

MLA

Chesterfield, Lord. “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 pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22768-never-seem-wiser-nor-more-learned-than-the/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Chesterfield, Lord. “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 pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22768-never-seem-wiser-nor-more-learned-than-the/.