Quote#Wisdom
It is a very wise rule in the conduct of the understanding, to…
Quote bySydney Smith · 1771–1845
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Elementary Sketches of Moral Philosophy (1849), Lecture IX : On the Conduct of the Understanding.; this provides the origin of the phrase "a square peg in a round hole"..
English (original)
It is a very wise rule in the conduct of the understanding, to acquire early a correct notion of your own peculiar constitution of mind, and to become well acquainted, as a physician would say, with your idiosyncrasy.
— Sydney Smith
More from Sydney Smith
It is true that every increase of knowledge may possibly render depravity more depraved, as well as it may increase the strength of virtue. It is in itself only power; and its value depends on its application.
In fact, when a nation has become free, it is extremely difficult to persuade them that their freedom is only to be preserved by perpetual and minute jealousy. They do not observe that there is a constant, perhaps an unconscious, effort on …
But now persecution is good, because it exists; every law which originated in ignorance and malice, and gratifies the passions from whence it sprang, we call the wisdom of our ancestors: when such laws are repealed, they will be cruelty …
When I hear any man talk of an unalterable law, the only effect it produces upon me is to convince me that he is an unalterable fool.
Manners are the shadows of virtues; the momentary display of those qualities which our fellow creatures love, and respect.
In the four quarters of the globe, who reads an American book? Or goes to an American play? or looks at an American picture or statue?