Who said “In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.”?

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), 9 March 1748

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“In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.”
— Lord Chesterfield
VerifiedLetters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman (1774), 9 March 1748 · evidenceLaughter
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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), 9 March 1748.

APA

Chesterfield, L. (n.d.). In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25414-in-my-mind-there-is-nothing-so-illiberal/

MLA

Chesterfield, Lord. “In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25414-in-my-mind-there-is-nothing-so-illiberal/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Chesterfield, Lord. “In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25414-in-my-mind-there-is-nothing-so-illiberal/.

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More quotes by Lord Chesterfield

“Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.”
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“Be wiser than other people, if you can; but do not tell them so.”
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“Manners must adorn knowledge, and smooth its way through the world.”
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