In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigor it will give your style.

Quote by Sydney Smith

Topics: Writing Quotes

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

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

The schoolboy whips his taxed top; the beardless youth manages his taxed horse with a...

The schoolboy whips his taxed top; the beardless youth manages his taxed horse with a...

The object of preaching is to constantly remind mankind of what they keep forgetting; not...

The object of preaching is to constantly remind mankind of what they keep forgetting; not...

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...

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,...

The observances of the church concerning feasts and fasts are tolerably well-kept, since the rich...

The observances of the church concerning feasts and fasts are tolerably well-kept, since the rich...

A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and...

A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and...

Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones.

Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones.

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.

Live always in the best company when you read.

Live always in the best company when you read.

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...

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.

Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible.

Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible.

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...

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

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

To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and...

To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and...

No furniture is so charming as books.

No furniture is so charming as books.

Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that...

Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that...

Why don't you write books people can read?

Why don't you write books people can read?

My test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter.

My test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter.