Sydney Smith Quotes

But now persecution is good, because it exists; every law which originated in ignorance and malice, and gratifies the passions from whence it sprang, we call the wisdom of our ancestors: when such laws are repealed, they will be cruelty and madness; till they are repealed, they are policy and caution.

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

Una grande quantità di talento è persa per il mondo per la mancanza di un po' di coraggio.

Manners are the shadows of virtues; the momentary display of those qualities which our fellow-creatures love and respect. If we strive to become, then, what we strive to appear, manners may often be rendered useful guides to the performance of our duties.

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

Never give way to melancholy; resist it steadily, for the habit will encroach.

Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love, and to be loved, is the greatest happiness of existence.

[He] has not body enough to cover his mind decently with; his intellect is improperly exposed.

Madam, I have been looking for a person who disliked gravy all my life; let us swear eternal friendship.

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.

[M]en who prefer any load of infamy, however great, to any pressure of taxation, however light.

In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigour it will give your style.

Truth is its [justice's] 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 greatest attribute of God.

Brevity in writing is
what charity is to all other virtues — righteousness is nothing
without the one,
nor authorship without the other.

Mankind are always happy for having happiness. So if you make them happy now, you make them happy twenty years from now by the memory of it.