Bishop Berkeley destroyed this world in one volume octavo; and nothing remained, after his time, but mind; which experienced a similar fate from the hand of Mr. Hume in 1737.

Quote by Sydney Smith

Topics: Sydney Smith Quotes

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.

The dearest things in the world are our neighbor's eyes; they cost everybody more than...

The dearest things in the world are our neighbor's eyes; they cost everybody more than...

What would life be without arithmetic, but a scene of horrors?

What would life be without arithmetic, but a scene of horrors?

I never read a book before reviewing it - it prejudices a man so

I never read a book before reviewing it - it prejudices a man so

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, 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.

As the French say, there are three sexes - men, women, and clergymen.

As the French say, there are three sexes - men, women, and clergymen.

The thing about performance, even if it's only an illusion, is that it is a...

The thing about performance, even if it's only an illusion, is that it is a...

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...

No furniture is so charming as books.

No furniture is so charming as books.

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

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

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...

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.

Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving...

Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving...

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...

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....

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.

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...

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...

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.