Sydney Smith

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can do only a little. Do what you can.

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

I have no relish for the country; it is a kind of healthy grave.

In composing, as a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigour it will give your style.

Never try to reason the predjudice out of a man. It wasn't reasoned into him, and cannot be reasoned out.

Whatever you are from nature, keep to it; never desert your own line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed; be anything else, and you will be ten thousand times worse thannothing.

A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whom timidity prevented from making a first effort.