Sydney Smith's Quotes

Poverty us no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient.

Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible.

Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones.

To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to't with delight.

What a pity it is that we have no amusements in England but vice and religion!

What would life be without arithmetic, but a scene of horrors?

What you don't know would make a great book.

It resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them.

To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in, and scramble through as well as we can.

Bishop Berkeley destroyed this world in one volume octavo; and nothing remained, after his time, but mind; which experienced a similar fate from the hand of Mr. Hume in 1737.

Errors, to be dangerous, must have a great deal of truth mingled with them. It is only from this alliance that they can ever obtain an extensive circulation.

It is safest to be moderately base - to be flexible in shame, and to be always ready for what is generous, good, and just, when anything is to be gained by virtue.

The object of preaching is to constantly remind mankind of what they keep forgetting; not to supply the intellect, but to fortify the feebleness of human resolutions.

The thing about performance, even if it's only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities.

Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them.

A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort.

Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.

Do not try to push your way through to the front ranks of your profession; do not run after distinctions and rewards; but do your utmost to find an entry into the world of beauty.

Manners are like the shadows of virtues, they are the momentary display of those qualities which our fellow creatures love and respect.

Among the smaller duties of life I hardly know any one more important than that of not praising where praise is not due.

Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed.

A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can.