Who said “The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet.”?

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), 4 October 1746

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“The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet.”
VerifiedLetters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman (1774), 4 October 1746 · evidenceKnowledge

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), 4 October 1746.

APA

Chesterfield, L. (n.d.). The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25226-the-knowledge-of-the-world-is-only-to/

MLA

Chesterfield, Lord. “The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25226-the-knowledge-of-the-world-is-only-to/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Chesterfield, Lord. “The knowledge of the world is only to be acquired in the world, and not in a closet.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25226-the-knowledge-of-the-world-is-only-to/.