Logan Pearsall Smith Quotes

Powerful Logan Pearsall Smith for Daily Growth

About Logan Pearsall Smith

Logan Pearsall Smith (November 15, 1865 – March 31, 1946), an influential British author and wit, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Quaker parents who were descendants of William Penn. His early education was at Friends' Central School before moving to England with his family in 1879 due to his father's professional commitments. Smith was a prolific writer who excelled in various genres including biography, criticism, essays, and humor. His work was marked by lucid prose, deep insights, and witty observations. Smith's first significant publication was "Atheneum Domesticities" (1894), a collection of humorous sketches that showcased his keen intellect and keen sense of humor. In 1897, Smith married Helen Antonia Podmore, with whom he had three children. Their marriage is considered one of the most notable literary partnerships of their time. Together, they hosted intellectual gatherings at their home, 'The Grange,' in London, attracting luminaries such as George Bernard Shaw, Virginia Woolf, and H.G. Wells. Smith's major works include "Preludes: Studies in the Art of the Essay" (1895), a series of essays exploring the art of writing; "Charles Dickens: His Tragedy and Triumph" (1911), a biography of the renowned author; and "Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow" (1908), a collection of humorous essays for which he is most remembered. Throughout his life, Smith was influenced by various philosophical schools of thought, including pragmatism and skepticism. His works often reflect these influences, questioning established norms and promoting critical thinking. Despite facing health issues, Smith continued to write until his death in 1946 at the age of 80. His legacy continues to inspire readers with his insightful wit and intellectual curiosity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is no love more sincere than the love of food.

This quote underscores the profound connection humans have with food, suggesting that our affection for sustenance goes beyond mere survival. Food not only nourishes our bodies but can evoke deep emotional responses, bringing people together and fostering shared experiences. It is a universal language that transcends cultures, connecting us all on a very human level. This love of food, therefore, represents an authentic, genuine emotion.


"A good quotation is a jewel in a man's crown."

This quote by Logan Pearsall Smith underscores the importance of wit and eloquence in shaping one's reputation and character. A well-chosen, insightful quote functions as an intellectual gem or ornament, enhancing the perceived wisdom and depth of its speaker or author. In essence, it highlights the power of words to convey profound thoughts, solidify one's standing, and leave a lasting impression on others.


"Everybody wants to be an interesting person; few people want to be interesting."

This quote implies that many individuals desire to be perceived as unique, intriguing, or captivating, but they are often unwilling to invest the effort required to actually develop those qualities in themselves. The focus is more on the image rather than the substance of being interesting. This dichotomy between aspiration and action highlights a common human tendency to prioritize appearances over authentic personal growth.


"Life is long if you know how to waste it."

The quote suggests that the perception of life's length is subjective, influenced greatly by one's ability to squander or make productive use of their time. Essentially, it implies that those who fail to find purpose or meaning in their activities may perceive their lives as longer because they are spending their days without significant progress or satisfaction. Conversely, individuals who find fulfillment in their actions and enjoy a sense of purpose will likely feel that life is shorter, having spent their time wisely.


"The older I grow, the more I distrust the fashionable thinkers of every age and every country."

This quote suggests that as one grows older, they become increasingly skeptical towards popular or trending ideas, regardless of their origin or time period. The speaker expresses a tendency to question the wisdom of those who are widely regarded as "fashionable thinkers," implying that these individuals may be more concerned with popularity and following trends rather than genuinely original or profound thinking. This perspective underscores the importance of critical thought, independence, and avoiding the herd mentality in forming one's own beliefs.


What joy can the years bring half so sweet as the unhappiness they've taken away?

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Joy, Away, Half, Unhappiness

When they come downstairs from their Ivory Towers, idealists are very apt to walk straight into the gutter.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Come, Very, Apt, Gutter

How it infuriates a bigot, when he is forced to drag out his dark convictions!

- Logan Pearsall Smith

How, His, Forced, Bigot

The denunciation of the young is a necessary part of the hygiene of older people, and greatly assists the circulation of the blood.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Age, Young, Necessary, Older People

If you want to be thought a liar, always tell the truth.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Funny, Truth, Always, Liar

How can they say my life is not a success? Have I not for more than sixty years got enough to eat and escaped being eaten?

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Success, My Life, Sixty, Eaten

Don't let young people tell you their aspirations; when they drop them they will drop you.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Young, Drop, Young People, Aspirations

The notion of making money by popular work, and then retiring to do good work, is the most familiar of all the devil's traps for artists.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Work, Good Work, Making, Traps

There are few sorrows, however poignant, in which a good income is of no avail.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Income, However, Which, Poignant

All my life, as down an abyss without a bottom. I have been pouring van loads of information into that vacancy of oblivion I call my mind.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Mind, My Life, Been, Oblivion

There is more felicity on the far side of baldness than young men can possibly imagine.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Side, Imagine, Baldness, Young Men

The test of a vocation is the love of the drudgery it involves.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Love, Test, Vocation, Drudgery

Hearts that are delicate and kind and tongues that are neither - these make the finest company in the world.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

World, Delicate, Finest, Tongues

People before the public live an imagined life in the thought of others, and flourish or feel faint as their self outside themselves grows bright or dwindles in that mirror.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Mirror, Thought, Grows, Faint

There is one thing that matters, to set a chime of words tinkling in the minds of a few fastidious people.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Minds, Matters, Set, Fastidious

Only a generation of readers will span a generation of writers.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Generation, Will, Readers, Span

To suppose as we all suppose, that we could be rich and not behave as the rich behave, is like supposing that we could drink all day and stay sober.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Like, Could, Behave, Sober

It is through the cracks in our brains that ecstasy creeps in.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Through, Brains, Ecstasy, Cracks

A slight touch of friendly malice and amusement towards those we love keeps our affections for them from turning flat.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Love, Friendly, Slight, Malice

The mere process of growing old together will make our slightest acquaintances seem like bosom friends.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Process, Will, Like, Bosom

Our names are labels, plainly printed on the bottled essence of our past behavior.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Names, Essence, Printed, Bottled

Happiness is a wine of the rarest vintage, and seems insipid to a vulgar taste.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Happiness, Vintage, Vulgar, Wine

Most people sell their souls, and live with a good conscience on the proceeds.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Conscience, Sell, Most, Proceeds

I can't forgive my friends for dying; I don't find these vanishing acts of theirs at all amusing.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Friends, Forgive, Acts, Amusing

Don't laugh at a youth for his affectations; he is only trying on one face after another to find a face of his own.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Youth, Own, Another, Laugh

A best-seller is the gilded tomb of a mediocre talent.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Mediocre, Gilded, Tomb, Best-Seller

Every author, however modest, keeps a most outrageous vanity chained like a madman in the padded cell of his breast.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Like, However, Author, Outrageous

The old know what they want; the young are sad and bewildered.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Sad, Young, Old, Bewildered

Solvency is entirely a matter of temperament and not of income.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Matter, Income, Solvency, Entirely

Only among people who think no evil can Evil monstrously flourish.

- Logan Pearsall Smith

Think, Only, Among, Flourish

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