Quote#World
God calls all the passions out in their keenness and vigour, for the…
Quote bySydney Smith · 1771–1845
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Elementary Sketches of Moral Philosophy (1849), Lecture XXVIL: On Habit - Part II, in “Elementary Sketches of Moral Philosophy”, delivered at The Royal Institution in the years 1804, 1805, and 1806 by the late Rev. Sydney Smith, M.A. (Spottiswoodes and Shaw (London: 1849)), p. 423-424.
English (original)
God calls all the passions out in their keenness and vigour, for the present safety of mankind.
— Sydney Smith
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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.
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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.
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and malice, and gratifies the passions from whence it sprang, we call the wisdom of our ancestors: when such laws are repealed, they will be cruelty …
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?