34. SYDNEY SMITH: Do what you can
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34. SYDNEY SMITH: Do what you can

April 6th, 2012

Sydney Smith (1771-1845) was an English writer, cleric and all-around witty dude. He has some great quotes but this one has to be his best. Thanks to Hannah who sent it to me and also suggested it might be well suited for a positive environmentalism message.

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Discussion (22) ¬

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  1. Nick Johnson
    Nick Johnson
    April 6, 2012 at 10:26 am | # | Reply

    This resonates pretty well with my current favorite song, from Matilda the Musical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D2rCvx2MnE

    “Just because you find that life’s not fair, it
    Doesn’t mean that you just have to grin and bear it.
    If you always take it on the chin and wear it,
    Nothing will change.
    Even if you’re little you can do a lot, you
    Mustn’t let a little thing like ‘little’ stop you.
    If you sit around and let them get on top, you
    Might as well be saying you think that it’s OK,
    And that’s not right.”

  2. Rose
    Rose
    April 6, 2012 at 11:40 am | # | Reply

    I really like this one, too. Thanks for the inspiration.

    One of my favorite quotes:

    It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. – Upton Sinclair

    • Gav
      Gav
      April 8, 2012 at 5:21 pm | # | Reply

      Nice one – thanks Rose

  3. Cathy W
    Cathy W
    April 6, 2012 at 7:12 pm | # | Reply

    This one totally needs to be a poster.

  4. Bearman
    Bearman
    April 7, 2012 at 12:46 am | # | Reply

    Another gem Gav.

  5. Dave Black
    Dave Black
    April 7, 2012 at 9:44 am | # | Reply

    Love it! Would be great to put up in my kids’ room.

    Can’t believe I just found zenpencils. Your work is amazing. I cannot wait until you have prints available!

    • Gav
      Gav
      April 8, 2012 at 5:22 pm | # | Reply

      Thanks Dave – glad u found the site

  6. Hannah
    Hannah
    April 9, 2012 at 6:21 pm | # | Reply

    It’s gorgeous. I’ll certainly buy a copy when it’s available as a poster.

    • Gav
      Gav
      April 9, 2012 at 10:43 pm | # | Reply

      Glad u like it Hannah

  7. Alex
    Alex
    April 11, 2012 at 10:06 am | # | Reply

    So good Gav! You should make laminated ones that people can blu-tak above their bins!

  8. Greg Searle
    Greg Searle
    May 20, 2012 at 1:55 am | # | Reply

    Gavin, I LOVE the recycling cartoon you did above. You’re a genius!

    I know you probably never revisit your previous projects, but if you changed “WASTE” to “COMPOST” and the icon of the takeaway container to something else organic, your drawing would be communicating a lot stronger message.

    Here’s why (nifty infographic on composting):
    http://pinterest.com/pin/49328558388857412/

    thanks!
    Greg

    • Gav
      Gav
      May 21, 2012 at 9:13 pm | # | Reply

      Done, comic has been updated!

  9. AngelusDlion
    AngelusDlion
    May 20, 2012 at 4:49 am | # | Reply

    I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
    Helen Keller

    My favorite quote.

    • Gav
      Gav
      May 21, 2012 at 9:13 pm | # | Reply

      Love that one too

  10. Joanna
    Joanna
    June 6, 2012 at 2:23 am | # | Reply

    I so love your stuff! I’m going through it backwards, from the one you did of Neil Gaiman’s quote. This is my favorite so far! :) Keep at it, please!

  11. RealityCheck
    RealityCheck
    June 15, 2012 at 12:08 pm | # | Reply

    It is folly to merely “DO SOMETHING!!!” Panicked fools who just simply had to “do SOMETHING” have caused indescribable human suffering. Be still, Fool, watch and listen. You will find that ninety nine percent of the urgent calamities people obligated you to solve were smoke and vapor.

  12. Wayno
    Wayno
    September 26, 2012 at 12:30 pm | # | Reply

    These may easily be the most beautiful drawings i have ever seen. they tear right at the heart strings. amazing.

  13. Ais-M
    Ais-M
    October 23, 2012 at 6:14 pm | # | Reply

    This reminds me of an Edmund Burke quote:

    “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”

    I’m a fervent environmentalist and that quote has been my mantra, so I’m really tickled and please you got a similar vibe from a similar quote.

  14. Realist
    Realist
    November 8, 2012 at 5:34 am | # | Reply

    Hey! If we all close our eyes, and wish really hard, we can all compost our way to utopia!

  15. Stephie
    Stephie
    December 12, 2012 at 2:16 am | # | Reply

    Wow. Had to take a second look at the name for a second. :P We have a building at my university named after this guy. Pretty sweet. :)

    Great job!!!

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