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?… — Sydney Smith Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Scotland: That garret of the earth - that knuckle-end of England - that land of Calvin, oatcakes, and sulfur. — Sydney Smith Copy Share Image
My living in Yorkshire was so far out of the way, that it was eleven miles away from a lemon — Sydney Smith Copy Share Image
A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience. — Sydney Smith Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can. — Sydney Smith Copy Share Image
A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men… — Sydney Smith Copy Share Image
A man who wishes to make his way in life could do no better than go through the world with a boiling tea-kettle in… — Sydney Smith Copy Share Image
[T]he 47th proposition in Euclid might now be voted down with as much ease as any proposition in politics; and therefore if Lord Hawkesbury… — Sydney Smith Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
![“[T]he 47th proposition in Euclid might now be voted down with as much ease as any proposition in politics; and therefore if Lord Hawkesbury hates the abstract truths of science as much as he hates concrete truth in human affairs, now is his time for getting rid of the multiplication table, and…” quote by Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/709/sydney-smith-6523_abstract_t-he-47th-proposition-in-euclid-might-no_463551.jpg)
