It resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them.

Quote by Sydney Smith

Topics: Sydney Smith Quotes

Heaven never helps the men who will not act.

Heaven never helps the men who will not act.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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,...

To love and be loved is the great happiness of existence.

To love and be loved is the great happiness of existence.

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...

Praise is the best diet for us, after all

Praise is the best diet for us, after all

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland.

I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland.

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.