Tobias Smollett Quotes

The Highlanders regale themselves with whisky. They find it an excellent preservation against the winter cold. It is given with great success to the infants in the confluent smallpox.

Some folks are wise and some are otherwise.

Nature and wisdom are not, but should be, companions.

The capital is become an overgrown monster; which, like a dropsical head, will in time leave the body and extremities without nourishment and support.

False as the fowler's artful snare.

A mere index hunter, who held the eel of science by the tail.

Who bravely dares must sometimes risk a fall.

Ridiculous modes, invented by ignorance, and adopted by folly.

Of this diversion the Scots are so fond, that, when the weather will permit, you may see a multitude of all ranks, from the senator of justice to the lowest tradesman, mingled together, in their shirts, and following the balls with utmost eagerness.

A man's opinion of danger varies at different times, in consequence of an irregular tide of animal spirits; and he is actuated by considerations which he dares not avow.

A mere index hunter, who held the eel of science by the tail. Index-hunter is a term used mockingly, meaning one who acquires superficial knowledge merely by consulting indexes. The '[holding] the eel of science by the tail' allusion was used in 1728 by Alexander Pope (q.v.).

True courage scorns to vent her prowess in a storm of words; and to the valiant action speaks alone.

Glory is the child of peril.

To the valiant actions speak alone.

The bread I eat in London, is a deleterious paste, mixed up with chalk, alum, and bone ashes: insipid to the taste, and destructive to the constitution.

I think for my part one half of the nation is mad - and the other not very sound.

There is not room to swing a cat.

The great Cham of literature. (Samuel Johnson)

I find that the old Roman baths of this quarter, were found covered by an old burying ground, belonging to the Abbey; through which, in all probability, the water drains in its passage; so that as we drink the decoction of the living bodies at the Pump-room, we swallow the strainings of rotten bones and carcasses at the private bath - I vow to God, the very idea turns my stomach!