"Never give way to melancholy; resist it steadily, for the habit will encroach"

This quote by Sydney Smith encourages us to never ever succumb to sensations of sadness or anxiety. He recommends that we should actively withstand these sensations, as they can end up being a routine if we enable them to take hold. Smith is cautioning us that if we give in to melancholy, it can become a regular part of our lives. He is recommending that we should be proactive in our method to dealing with our emotions, and not let them take control people.

Smith is encouraging us to take a positive method to our psychological health, and to be mindful of our ideas and feelings. He is recommending that we should understand our feelings, and take steps to manage them in a healthy method. He is also advising us that we have the power to pick how we respond to our emotions, which we ought to strive to make favorable choices. By doing this, we can avoid our feelings of sadness from becoming a practice.