Among the smaller duties of life I hardly know any one more important than that of not praising where praise is not due.

Quote by Sydney Smith

Topics: Sydney Smith Quotes

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.

Let the Dean and Canons lay their heads together and the thing will be done.

Let the Dean and Canons lay their heads together and the thing will be done.

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

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

That sign of old age, extolling the past at the expense of the present.

That sign of old age, extolling the past at the expense of the present.

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,...

What a pity it is that we have no amusements in England but vice and...

What a pity it is that we have no amusements in England but vice and...

A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little...

A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little...

Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to...

Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to...

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.

Correspondences are like small clothes before the invention of suspenders; it is impossible to keep...

Correspondences are like small clothes before the invention of suspenders; it is impossible to keep...

I have the most perfect confidence in your indiscretion

I have the most perfect confidence in your indiscretion

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...

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.

Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones.

Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones.

Whatever you are from nature, keep to it; never desert your own line of talent....

Whatever you are from nature, keep to it; never desert your own line of talent....

Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the...

Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the...

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...

A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little...

A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little...

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,...