Sydney Smith quotes - page 2

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. (Sydney Smith)
I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland. View quote
Sydney Smith
When I hear any man talk of an unalterable law, the only effect it produces upon me is to convince me that he is an unalterable fool. View quote
Sydney Smith
Find fault, when you must find fault, in private, if possible; and some time after the offense, rather than at the time. View quote
Sydney Smith
Macaulay has occasional flashes of silence, that make his conversation perfectly delightful. View quote
Sydney Smith
Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed. View quote
Sydney Smith
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. View quote
Sydney Smith
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. View quote
Sydney Smith
Oh, don't tell me of facts -- I never believe facts you know Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts, except figures. View quote
Sydney Smith
Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible. View quote
Sydney Smith
Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient. (Sydney Smith)
Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones. View quote
Sydney Smith
He not only overflowed with learning, but stood in the slop. View quote
Sydney Smith
Take short views, hope for the best, and trust in God. View quote
Sydney Smith
He was a one-book man. Some men have only one book in them; others, a library. View quote
Sydney Smith
In the midst of this sublime and terrible storm at Sidmouth, Dame Partington, who lived upon the beach, was seen at the door of her house with mop and pattens, trundling her mop, squeezing out the sea-water, and vigorously pushing away the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic was roused Mrs. Partington's spirit was up. But I need not tell you that the contest was unequal the Atlantic Ocean beat Mrs. Partington. View quote
Sydney Smith
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. View quote
Sydney Smith
Ah, you flavour everything you are the vanilla of society. View quote
Sydney Smith
The Smiths never had any arms, and have invariably sealed their letters with their thumbs. View quote
Sydney Smith
It requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch understanding. View quote
Sydney Smith
Let every man be occupied, and occupied in the highest employment of which his nature is capable, and die with the consciousness that he has done his best. (Sydney Smith)
To take Macaulay out of literature and society and put him in the House of Commons, is like taking the chief physician out of London during a pestilence. View quote
Sydney Smith
It is always right that a man should be able to render a reason for the faith that is within him. View quote
Sydney Smith
Magnificent spectacle of human happiness. View quote
Sydney Smith
Speaking of justice Truth is its handmaid, freedom is its child, peace is its companion, safety walks in its steps, victory follows in its train it is the brightest emanation from the Gospel it is the attribute of God. View quote
Sydney Smith