It 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.

Quote by Sydney Smith

Topics: Sydney Smith Quotes

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

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

In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have...

In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have...

To love and be loved is the great happiness of existence.

To love and be loved is the great happiness of existence.

To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to't with delight.

To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to't with delight.

Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is...

Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is...

Man could direct his ways by plain reason, and support his life by tasteless food,...

Man could direct his ways by plain reason, and support his life by tasteless food,...

Never talk for half a minute without pausing and giving others a chance to join...

Never talk for half a minute without pausing and giving others a chance to join...

Live always in the best company when you read.

Live always in the best company when you read.

Bishop Berkeley destroyed this world in one volume octavo; and nothing remained, after his time,...

Bishop Berkeley destroyed this world in one volume octavo; and nothing remained, after his time,...

Manners are like the shadows of virtues, they are the momentary display of those qualities...

Manners are like the shadows of virtues, they are the momentary display of those qualities...

No man can ever end with being superior who will not begin with being inferior.

No man can ever end with being superior who will not begin with being inferior.

I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

I have, alas, only one illusion left, and that is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for...

Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for...

Heaven never helps the men who will not act.

Heaven never helps the men who will not act.

Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible.

Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible.

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do...

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do...

I never read a book before previewing it; it prejudices a man so.

I never read a book before previewing it; it prejudices a man so.

Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for...

Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for...

I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for...

I have no regrets in my life. I think that everything happens to you for...

Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience.

Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience.

Time is like money, the less we have of it to spare the further we...

Time is like money, the less we have of it to spare the further we...