Quotes from 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.

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

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.

When I hear any man talk of an unalterable law, the only effect it produces on me is to convince me that he is an unalterable fool

Some men have only one book in them, others a library.

No man can ever end with being superior who will not begin with being inferior.

When you rise in the morning, form a resolution to make the day a happy one for a fellow creature.

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.

If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rapture upon earth.

Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.

Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to avoid the calamity of being ignorant of everything.

we know nothing of tomorrow, our business is to be good and happy today

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

Hope is the belief, more or less strong, that joy will come.

Hope is the belief more or less strong that joy will come desire is the wish it may come.

I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland.

Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him, and cannot be reasoned out.

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

He not only overflowed with learning, but stood in the slop.

I never read a book before previewing it; it prejudices a man so.

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

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

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

Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible.