It is safest to be moderately base - to be flexible in shame, and to be always ready for what is generous, good, and just, when anything is to be gained by virtue.

Quote by Sydney Smith

Topics: Sydney Smith Quotes

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...

It is natural to every man to wish for distinction, and the praise of those...

It is natural to every man to wish for distinction, and the praise of those...

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...

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...

Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient

Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient

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,...

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.

Poverty us no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient.

Poverty us no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient.

What you don't know would make a great book.

What you don't know would make a great book.

Heaven never helps the men who will not act.

Heaven never helps the men who will not act.

I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland.

I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland.

Don't tell me of facts, I never believe facts; you know Canning said nothing was...

Don't tell me of facts, I never believe facts; you know Canning said nothing was...

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....

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...

No furniture is so charming as books.

No furniture is so charming as books.

Praise is the best diet for us, after all

Praise is the best diet for us, after all

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.

Patience makes a women beautiful in middle age.

Patience makes a women beautiful in middle age.

Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is...

Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is...

NBC - no body cares.

NBC - no body cares.