Sydney Smith Quotes

That silence is one of the great arts of conversation is allowed by Cicero himself, who says, there is not only an art, but even an eloquence in it

I really don't talk much.

People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.

No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut.

I don't talk a lot.

I don't like to do a lot of talking.

Someday, someday, but certainly not now, I'd like to learn how to have a conversation.

I like being around people who are good conversationalists.

If you listen, you learn; if you talk, you don't.

Silence is one great art of conversation.

You can do one of two things; just shut up, which is something I don't find easy, or learn an awful lot very fast, which is what I tried to do.

There have been a few moments when I have known complete satisfaction, but only a few. I have rarely been free from the disturbing realization that my playing might have been better.

My toughest enemy is in the mirror - would you look at that.

How much it is to be regretted, that the British ladies should ever sit down contented to polish, when they are able to reform; to entertain, when they might instruct; and to dazzle for an hour, when they are candidates for eternity!

No matter who you are, no matter how difficult things might appear to be, you are always being moved towards magnificence. Always.

I was always wanting to learn and be one of those actresses who can actually hold a conversation as opposed to standing there looking pretty.

Many people talk much, and then very many people talk very much more.

A really good style comes only when a man has become as good as he can be. Style is character. A good style cannot come from a bad undisciplined character.

Be who you are. But be the very best communicator you can possibly be. To do that you must be willing to sacrifice what's comfortable-what has become part of your style-for the sake of what is effective.

Learn to recognize and combat the enemies of potential.

We should be slower to think that the man at his worst is the real man, and certain that the better we are ourselves the less likely is he to be at his worst in our company. Every time he talks away his own character before us he is signifying contempt for ours.

If you bring five percent more awareness to your work tomorrow, or to your most important relationship, what might you do differently? Are you willing to find out?

There may be other reasons for a man's not speaking in publick than want of resolution: he may have nothing to say.

Recognize negativism and inferiority attitudes as enemies - do not try to dress them as your friends. you will be tempted to look upon negativism as prudence and inferiorities as humility. Strip off those false cloaks and see these attitudes in their nakedness - as enemies of you and of your possibilities.

It is by becoming increasingly complex that the self might be said to grow.