Sydney Smith

It requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch
understanding.

It requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch
understanding.

The thing about performance, even if it's only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that read more

The thing about performance, even if it's only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities.

Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the offense, rather than at the read more

Find fault when you must find fault in private, and if possible sometime after the offense, rather than at the time.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.

I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords
to stop the progress of reform, read more

I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords
to stop the progress of reform, reminds me very forcibly of the
great storm of Sidmouth, and of the conduct of the excellent Mrs.
Partington on that occasion. In the winter of 1824, there set in
a great flood upon that town--the tide rose to an incredible
height: the waves rushed in upon the houses, and everything was
threatened with destruction. In the midst of this sublime and
terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived upon the beach, was
seen at the door of her house with mop and pattens, trundling her
mop, squeezing out the sea water, and vigorously pushing away the
Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic was roused. Mrs. Partington's
spirit was up; but I need not tell you that the contest was
unequal. The Atlantic Ocean beat Mrs. Partington. She was
excellent at a slop or a puddle, but she should not have meddled
with a tempest.