We cultivate literature on a little oatmeal. -- Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -

We cultivate literature on a little oatmeal.
-- Sydney Smith (1769-1845)
-- Lady Holland's Memoir, Vol. i, p. 23

To take Macaulay out of literature and society and put him in the House of Commons,
is like taking the chief physician out of London during...
As the French say, there are three sexes,--men, women,
and clergymen. -- Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -- Lady...
Avoid shame, but do not seek glory,--nothing so expensive as glory.
Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -- Lady Holland's Memoir...
Daniel Webster struck me much like a steam-engine in trousers.
Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -- Lady Holland's Memoir...
It is always right that a man should be able to render a reason for the faith that is within him.
Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -- Lady Holland's Memoir...
Not body enough to cover his mind decently with; his intellect is improperly exposed.
Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -- Lady Holland's Memoir...
That knuckle-end of England,--that land of Calvin, oat-cakes,
and sulphur. -- Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -- Lady...
Ah, you flavour everything; you are the vanilla of society.
Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -- Lady Holland's Memoir...
It requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch understanding.
Sydney Smith (1769-1845) -- Lady Holland's Memoir...