Letters to my son

The correspondence between the British statesman, diplomat, writer and moral philosopher Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) and his illegitimate son is one of the most glorious monuments of European epistolary prose of the 18th century. Drawing on his own life experience, Chesterfield shares with his descendant advice that should help him achieve an influential position and success in high society. Most of the letters are real lessons, covering a wide variety of topics from ancient mythology to the secrets of how to behave in society - with men and women, with friends and enemies. The modern reader can also find in these letters a lot of useful recommendations, in particular, on learning foreign languages, planning affairs and wisely using the time given to us.