Sydney Smith quotes - page 3

My living in Yorkshire was so far out of the way, that it was actually twelve miles from a lemon. (Sydney Smith)
Serenely full, the epicure would say, Fate cannot harm me I have dined to-day. View quote
Sydney Smith
Looked as if she had walked straight out of the ark. View quote
Sydney Smith
No one minds what Jeffrey says . . it is not more than a week ago that I heard him speak disrespectfully of the equator. View quote
Sydney Smith
Men who prefer any load of infamy, however great, to any pressure of taxation, however light. View quote
Sydney Smith
Daniel Webster struck me much like a steam-engine in trousers. View quote
Sydney Smith
We cultivate literature on a little oatmeal. View quote
Sydney Smith
Heaven never helps the men who will not act. View quote
Sydney Smith
I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury. View quote
Sydney Smith
What a pity it is that we have no amusements in England but vice and religion! View quote
Sydney Smith
How can a bishop marry? How can he flirt? The most he can say is, "I will see you in the vestry after service. (Sydney Smith)
He has spent all his life in letting down empty buckets into empty wells and he is frittering away his age in trying to draw them up again. View quote
Sydney Smith
My idea of heaven is eating pate de foie gras to the sound of trumpets. View quote
Sydney Smith
I never read a book before reviewing it it prejudices a man so. View quote
Sydney Smith
Not body enough to cover his mind decently with his intellect is improperly exposed. View quote
Sydney Smith
The dearest things in the world are our neighbor's eyes; they cost everybody more than anything else in housekeeping. View quote
Sydney Smith
You remember Thurlow's answer to some one complaining of the injustice of a company. "Why, you never expected justice from a company, did you? they have neither a soul to lose, nor a body to kick." View quote
Sydney Smith
Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him, and cannot be reasoned out. View quote
Sydney Smith
Preaching has become a byword for long and dull conversation of any kind; and whoever wishes to imply, in any piece of writing, the absence of everything agreeable and inviting, calls it a sermon. View quote
Sydney Smith
A great deal of talent is lost to the world for the want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves a number of obscure men who have only remained obscure because their timidity has prevented them from making a first effort. View quote
Sydney Smith
In the four quarters of the globe, who reads an American book, or goes to an American play, or looks at an American picture or statue. (Sydney Smith)
If you want to improve your understanding, drink coffee. View quote
Sydney Smith
Every increase of knowledge may possibly render depravity more depraved, as well as it may increase the strength of virtue. It is in itself only power; and its value depends on its application. View quote
Sydney Smith
If you could be alarmed into the semblance of modesty, you would charm everybody; but remember my joke against you about the Moon and the Solar System;-"Damn the solar system! bad light - planets too distant - pestered with comets - feeble contriviance; - could make a better with great ease." View quote
Sydney Smith
The truth is, that most men want knowledge, not for itself, but for the superiority which knowledge confers; and the means they employ to secure this superiority, are as wrong as the ultimate object, for no man can ever end with being superior, who will not begin with being inferior. View quote
Sydney Smith