"Principles of politeness, and of knowing the world" by Philip Dormer Stanhope Earl of Chesterfield Chesterfield was a British statesman, diplomat, and man of letters, and an acclaimed wit of his time. In this book, he delves into the do's and don'ts of high society. Aimed at both those who were working their way up in the world as well as those who would never achieve a higher status, this book is, in part, tongue-in-cheek while still providing useful knowledge of manners and social norms.