"There is nothing that people bear more impatiently, or forgive less, than contempt: and an injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult"

This quote by Lord Chesterfield speaks with the power of words and how they can impact people. He is stating that individuals are more likely to be angered by contempt or insults than by an injury. People are less likely to forgive an insult than an injury, and they are most likely to bear in mind an insult than an injury. This is due to the fact that an insult is an individual attack on somebody's character or worth, while an injury is a physical damage. An insult can be more harmful to someone's self-esteem and sense of worth than a physical injury. Lord Chesterfield is alerting us to be conscious of the words we use and how they can impact others. We should be careful not to insult or belittle others, as it can have a lasting influence on them. We ought to likewise make every effort to forgive those who have actually mistreated us, as it signifies strength and maturity.