Quotes by Sydney Smith

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

Never talk for half a minute without pausing and giving others a chance to join in.

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.

Have the courage to be ignorant of a great number of things, in order to avoid the calamity of being ignorant of everything.

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.