Walter Scott Quotes - Page 5

Steady of heart and stout of hand.

A good deal of philanthropy arises in general from mere vanity and love of distinction gilded over to others and to themselves with some show of benevolent sentiment.

Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances!

The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me?

It is more difficult to look upon victory than upon battle.

One hour of life, crowded to the full with glorious action, and filled with noble risks, is worth whole years of those mean observances of paltry decorum, in which men steal through existence, like sluggish waters through a marsh, without either honor or observation.

O woman! in our hours of ease Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, And variable as the shade By the light quivering aspen made; When pain and anguish wring the brow, A ministering angel thou!

A Christmas gambol oft could cheer The poor man's heart through half the year.

Besides, Rose Bradwardine, beautiful and amiable as we have described her, had not precisely the sort of beauty or merit which captivates a romantic imagination in early youth. She was too frank, too confiding, too kind; amiable qualities, undoubtedly, but destructive of the marvellous, with which a youth of imagination delights to dress the empress of his affections.

Who o'er the herd would wish to reign, Fantastic, fickle, fierce, and vain! Vain as the leaf upon the stream, And fickle as a changeful dream; Fantastic as a woman's mood, And fierce as Frenzy's fever'd blood. Thou many-headed monster thing, Oh who would wish to be thy king!

The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other. We cannot exist without mutual help. All therefore that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-men; and no one who has the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.

Chivalry!---why, maiden, she is the nurse of pure and high affection---the stay of the oppressed, the redresser of grievances, the curb of the power of the tyrant ---Nobility were but an empty name without her, and liberty finds the best protection in her lance and her sword.

Heap on more wood! - the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still.

Some feelings are to mortals given With less of earth in them than heaven.

Cats are a mysterious kind of folk.

I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?

Each age has deemed the new-born year the fittest time for festal cheer.

The paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly greatness, are always those of pleasantness and peace.

Like the dew on the mountain, like the foam on the river, like the bubble on the fountain, thou art gone, and for ever!

I will tear this folly from my heart, though every fibre bleed as I rend it away!

Chess is a sad waste of brains.

A fool's wild speech confounds the wise.

It was woman that taught me cruelty, and on woman therefore I have exercised it.

He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles.

Then hush thee, my darling, take rest while you may, For strife comes with manhood, and waking with day.