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

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.

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,...

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...

My living in Yorkshire was so far out of the way, that it was eleven...

My living in Yorkshire was so far out of the way, that it was eleven...

Heaven never helps the men who will not act.

Heaven never helps the men who will not act.

I have the most perfect confidence in your indiscretion

I have the most perfect confidence in your indiscretion

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...

Among the smaller duties of life I hardly know any one more important than that...

Among the smaller duties of life I hardly know any one more important than that...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

Praise is the best diet for us, after all

Praise is the best diet for us, after all

It is more difficult to praise rightly than to blame.

It is more difficult to praise rightly than to blame.

Praise does wonders for our sense of hearing.

Praise does wonders for our sense of hearing.