Bishop Quote by Sydney Smith
“How can a bishop marry? How can he flirt? The most he can say is "I will see you in the vestry after service."”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Spectator, 1817
Questioning clerical celibacy and romantic propriety, highlighting institutional constraints on personal relationships.
In simple terms: Clergy face rules on marriage and flirtation.
Key Takeaway
Recognize institutional limits on personal behavior.
Themes
religion
courtship
institutional constraints
Mood
wry
thoughtful
Type
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- church life
- personal relationships
- historical context
Key Concepts
celibacy
social norms
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do institutions shape personal intimacy?
- Can tradition evolve with modern values?
A Different Perspective
Clergy may find creative ways to express affection within rules.
![“[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)
