43 Quotes & Sayings By Sydney Smith

Sydney Smith was born in 1847 and died in 1907. He was a British author, journalist, historian and politician. Smith wrote historical novels and biographies as well as historical commentaries. He also wrote two autobiographical works Read more

His most famous work, "The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte" is considered to be the best biography ever written about Napoleon.

1
The main question to a novel is -- did it amuse? were you surprised at dinner coming so soon? did you mistake eleven for ten? were you too late to dress? and did you sit up beyond the usual hour? If a novel produces these effects, it is good; if it does not -- story, language, love, scandal itself cannot save it. It is only meant to please; and it must do that or it does nothing. Sydney Smith
No furniture is so charming as books.
2
No furniture is so charming as books. Sydney Smith
Madam, I have been looking for a person who disliked...
3
Madam, I have been looking for a person who disliked gravy all my life; let us swear eternal friendship. Sydney Smith
4
If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rapture upon earth. Sydney Smith
5
The fact is that in order to do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand shivering on the bank thinking of the cold and the danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can. Sydney Smith
6
When you rise in the morning, form a resolution to make the day a happy one for a fellow creature. Sydney Smith
7
I always fear that creation will expire before teatime. Sydney Smith
8
Going to marry her? Impossible! You mean a part of her; he could not marry her all himself. It would be a case, not of bigamy but trigamy; there is enough of her to furnish wives for the whole parish. One man marry her! - it is monstrous! You might people a colony with her; or give an assembly with her; or perhaps take your morning's walk round her, always provided there were frequent resting places, and you were in rude health. I once was rash enough to try walking round her before breakfast, but only got half way and gave it up exhausted. Or you might read the Riot Act and disperse her; in short, you might do anything but marry her! . Sydney Smith
9
He has returned from Italy a greater bore than ever he bores on architecture painting statuary and music. Sydney Smith
10
He (Macaulay) has occasional flashes of silence that make his conversation perfectly delightful. Sydney Smith
11
You never say a word of yourself dear Lady Grey. You have that dreadful sin of anti-egotism. Sydney Smith
12
I have gout asthma and seven other maladies but am otherwise very well. Sydney Smith
13
Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence. Sydney Smith
14
Madam I have been looking for a person who disliked gravy all my life let us swear eternal friendship. Sydney Smith
15
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
16
Great men hallow a whole people and lift up all who live in their time. Sydney Smith
17
Hope is the belief more or less strong that joy will come desire is the wish it may come. Sydney Smith
18
I never believe facts Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts except figures. Sydney Smith
19
Oh don't tell me of facts - I never believe in facts you know Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts except figures. Sydney Smith
20
When you rise in the morning form a resolution to make the day a happy one for a fellow creature. Sydney Smith
21
Take short views hope for the best and trust in God. Sydney Smith
22
It is always considered a piece of impertinence in England if a man of less than two or three thousand a year has any opinions at all upon important subjects. Sydney Smith
23
Politeness is good nature regulated by good sense. Sydney Smith
24
Among the smaller duties in life I hardly know any one more important than that of not praising when praise is not due. Sydney Smith
25
Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him and cannot be reasoned out. Sydney Smith
26
Heat madam! It was so dreadful that I found there was nothing for it but to take off my flesh and sit in my bones. Sydney Smith
27
Men whose trade is rat-catching love to catch rats the bug destroyer seizes on his bug with delight and the suppressor is gratified by finding his vice. Sydney Smith
28
Never desert your own line of talent. Be what nature intended you for and you will succeed. Sydney Smith
29
Whatever you are by nature keep to it never desert your own line of talent. Be what nature intended you for and you will succeed be anything else and you will be ten thousand times worse than nothing. Sydney Smith
30
He not only overflowed with learning but stood in the slop. Sydney Smith
31
Never give way to melancholy resist it steadily for the habit will encroach. Sydney Smith
32
That sign of old age extolling the past at the expense of the present. Sydney Smith
33
We know nothing of tomorrow our business is to be good and happy today. Sydney Smith
34
Men whose trade is rat-catching love to catch rats the bug destroyer seizes on his bug with delight the suppressor is gratified by finding his vice. Sydney Smith
35
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
36
A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience. Sydney Smith
37
What a pity it is that we have no amusements in England but vice and religion! Sydney Smith
38
As the French say, there are three sexes - men, women, and clergymen. Sydney Smith
39
Never talk for half a minute without pausing and giving others a chance to join in. Sydney Smith
40
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
41
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
42
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