Sydney Smith Quotations | Page 2

That sign of old age, extolling the past at the expense of the present

A life of knowledge is not often a life of injury and crime

Ah, you flavor everything; you are the vanilla of society

There is one piece of advice, in a life of study, which I think no one will object to; and that is, every now and then to be completely idle - to do nothing at all.

There is not the least use in preaching to anyone, unless you chance to catch them ill.

A bigot delights in public ridicule, for he begins to think he is a martyr

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

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

Do not assume that because I am frivolous I am shallow; I don't assume that because you are grave you are profound

Not body enough to cover his mind decently with; his intellect is improperly exposed

Serenely full, the epicure would say, Fate cannot harm me, I have dined today

I never could find any man who could think for two minutes together

I have no relish for the country; it is a kind of healthy grave

I never read a book before reviewing it - it prejudices a man so

I have the most perfect confidence in your indiscretion

How can a bishop marry? How can he flirt? The most he can say is, "I will see you in the vestry after service

Heat, ma'am!" I said; "it was so dreadful here, that I found there was nothing left for it but to take off my flesh and sit in my bones

The man who talks of an unalterable law is probably an unalterable fool

A great deal of talent is lost in the world for want of courage.

All this class of pleasures inspires me with the same nausea as I feel at the sight of rich plum-cake or sweetmeats; I prefer the driest bread of common life.

A nation grown free in a single day is a child born with the limbs and the vigor of a man, who would take a drawn sword for his rattle, and set the house in a blaze that he might chuckle over the splendor.

Take short views, hope for the best and trust in God.