The thing about performance, even if it’s only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities. – Sydney Smith
To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in, and scramble through as well as we can. – Sydney Smith
Correspondences are like small clothes before the invention of suspenders; it is impossible to keep them up. – Sydney Smith
A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort. – Sydney Smith
Marriage 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. – Sydney Smith
Madam, I have been looking for a person who disliked gravy all my life; let us swear eternal friendship. – Sydney Smith
It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little – do what you can. – Sydney Smith
Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to avoid the calamity of being ignorant of everything. – Sydney Smith
Manners are like the shadows of virtues, they are the momentary display of those qualities which our fellow creatures love and respect. – Sydney Smith
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. – Sydney Smith
Among the smaller duties of life I hardly know any one more important than that of not praising where praise is not due. – Sydney Smith
Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence. – Sydney Smith
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. – Sydney Smith
The object of preaching is to constantly remind mankind of what they keep forgetting; not to supply the intellect, but to fortify the feebleness of human resolutions. – Sydney Smith
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. – Sydney Smith
Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed. – Sydney Smith
