Welcome to our collection of insightful and thought-provoking Sydney Smith quotes. Sydney Smith, an English clergyman, writer, and wit of the early 19th century, was renowned for his sharp intellect, humor, and eloquence. His words have left an indelible mark on literature, philosophy, and social commentary, offering timeless wisdom that continues to resonate with audiences today.
Through his keen observations and witty remarks, Sydney Smith addressed a wide array of topics, including politics, religion, education, and human nature. His quotes are characterized by their wit, irony, and astute analysis of society and its foibles. Whether he was challenging conventional wisdom, poking fun at societal norms, or offering sage advice, Sydney Smith’s words are as relevant now as they were during his lifetime.
Below, you’ll find a curated selection of Sydney Smith quotes that capture the essence of his wit and wisdom. Feel free to use these quotes to inspire, provoke thought, or simply entertain.
Among the smaller duties of life I hardly know any one more important than that of not praising where praise is not due. Sydney Smith
In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigor it will give your style. Sydney Smith
Great men hallow a whole people, and lift up all who live in their time. Sydney Smith
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. Sydney Smith
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
A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience. Sydney Smith
Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones. Sydney Smith
Heaven never helps the men who will not act. Sydney Smith
Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence. Sydney Smith
Madam, I have been looking for a person who disliked gravy all my life; let us swear eternal friendship. Sydney Smith
Manners are like the shadows of virtues, they are the momentary display of those qualities which our fellow creatures love and respect. Sydney Smith
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. Sydney Smith
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. Sydney Smith
Live always in the best company when you read. 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. Sydney Smith
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. Sydney Smith
I never read a book before previewing it; it prejudices a man so. Sydney Smith
It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little – do what you can. Sydney Smith
Correspondences are like small clothes before the invention of suspenders; it is impossible to keep them up. Sydney Smith
Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient. Sydney Smith
What you don’t know would make a great book. Sydney Smith
Never give way to melancholy; resist it steadily, for the habit will encroach. 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. 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. Sydney Smith
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. Sydney Smith
As the French say, there are three sexes – men, women, and clergymen. Sydney Smith
What would life be without arithmetic, but a scene of horrors? Sydney Smith
To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to’t with delight. 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. Sydney Smith
No man can ever end with being superior who will not begin with being inferior. Sydney Smith
Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the offense, rather than at the time. Sydney Smith
Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to avoid the calamity of being ignorant of everything. Sydney Smith
I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury. Sydney Smith
What a pity it is that we have no amusements in England but vice and religion! Sydney Smith
Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible. Sydney Smith
Never talk for half a minute without pausing and giving others a chance to join in. Sydney Smith
Let the Dean and Canons lay their heads together and the thing will be done. Sydney Smith
I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland. Sydney Smith