Quote #39

I never read a book before reviewing it; it prejudices a man so.

More from Sydney Smith

  1. Heaven never helps the men who will not act.
  2. 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 styl…
  3. He not only overflowed with learning, he stood in the slop.
  4. Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.
  5. Do not try to push your way through to the front ranks of your profession; do not run after distinctions and rewards; but do your utmost to…
  6. Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient.
  7. If you could be alarmed into the semblance of modesty, you would charm everybody; but remember my joke against you about the Moon and the S…
  8. Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea?-how did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.

All Sydney Smith quotes