Sydney Smith
Sydney Smith
Sydney Smithwas an English wit, writer and Anglican cleric...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth3 June 1771
adversity gods heathen man might pleasure spectacle struggling wise writer
A wise man struggling with adversity is said by some heathen writer to be a spectacle on which the gods might look down with pleasure
age-and-aging expense past present sign
That sign of old age, extolling the past at the expense of the present
believe except figures
Don't tell me of facts, I never believe facts; you know Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts, except figures
alliance dangerous deal errors extensive great obtain truth
Errors to be dangerous must have a great deal of truth mingled with them. It is only from this alliance that they can ever obtain an extensive circulation.
body cover exposed intellect mind
Not body enough to cover his mind decently with; his intellect is improperly exposed
It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can.
greatest mistakes
It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can.
gives good knowledge reader takes writer writers-and-writing
The writer does the most good who gives his reader the most knowledge and takes from him the least time.
bridle dying fifteen horse manages paid per pouring schoolboy seven spoon taxed youth
The schoolboy whips his taxed top; the beardless youth manages his taxed horse with a taxed bridle on a taxed road; and the dying Englishman, pouring his medicine, which has paid seven per cent, into a spoon that has paid fifteen per cent, flings him
begins bigot delights martyr public
A bigot delights in public ridicule, for he begins to think he is a martyr
assume frivolous grave profound
Do not assume that because I am frivolous I am shallow; I don't assume that because you are grave you are profound
advice idle life object piece scholars-and-scholarship
There is one piece of advice, in a life of study, which I think no one will object to; and that is, every now and then to be completely idle - to do nothing at all.
catch chance preaching unless
There is not the least use in preaching to anyone, unless you chance to catch them ill.
believe except facts falsehood
Oh, don't tell me of facts -- I never believe facts: you know Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts, except figures.