"Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed."
"Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient."
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Source: In 'Sidney Smith: His Wit and Wisdom' (1900) p. 89 Science is his forte, and omniscience his foible. On William Whewell, in Isaac Todhunter 'William Whewell' (1876) vol. 1, p. 410
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More quotes by Sydney Smith
"If you want to improve your understanding, drink coffee."
"The main question to a novel is -- did it amuse? were you surprised at dinner coming so soon? did you mistake eleven for ten? were you too late to dress? and did you sit up beyond the usual hour? If a novel produces these effects, it is good; if it does not -- story, language, love, scandal itself cannot save it. It is only meant to please; and it must do that or it does nothing."
"Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence."
"Madam, I have been looking for a person who disliked gravy all my life; let us swear eternal friendship."
"Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea."