43 quotes
Scottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771–1832)
“He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles.”
"Faces that have charmed us the most escape us the soonest."
on Love
"Wounds sustained for the sake of conscience carry their own balsam with the blow."
on Character
"Oh, many a shaft at random sentFinds mark the archer little meant!And many a word at random spokenMay soothe, or wound, a heart that's broken!"
on Compassion
"Look back, and smile on perils past."
on Life
"Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, And men below, and saints above: For love is heaven, and heaven is love."
"We are like the herb which flourisheth most when trampled upon"
on Resilience
"Fight on, brave knights! Man dies, but glory lives! Fight on; death is better than defeat! Fight on brave knights! for bright eyes behold your deeds!"
on Death
"When thinking about companions gone, we feel ourselves doubly alone."
"O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!"
on Truth
"But search the land of living men Where wilt thou find their like again."
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive."
"A rusty nail placed near a faithful compass, will sway it from the truth, and wreck the argosy."
"All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education."
on Education
"Each age has deemed the new-born year the fittest time for festal cheer."
on Time
"The chain of friendship however bright does not stand the attrition of constant close contact."
on Relationships
"It is wonderful what strength of purpose and boldness and energy of will are roused by the assurance that we are doing our duty."
on Inspirational
"One crowded hour of glorious life Is worth an age without a name."
"O! many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word, at random spoken, May soothe or wound a heart that's broken!"
"It was woman that taught me cruelty, and on woman therefore I have exercised it."
"Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn."
on Nature
