Walter Scott Quotes - Page 6

As good play for nothing, you know, as work for nothing.

Mankind — the race would perish did they cease to aid each other.

What I have to say is far more important than how long my eyelashes are.

We often praise the evening clouds, And tints so gay and bold, But seldom think upon our God, Who tinged these clouds with gold.

The Book of Books Within this ample volume lies The mystery of mysteries. Happiest they of human race To whom their God has given grace To read, to fear, to hope, to pray, To lift the latch, to force the way; But better had they ne'er been born That read to doubt or read to scorn.

God forgive me for having thought it possible that a schoolmaster could be out and out a rational being.

For monarchs seldom sigh in vain.

Meat eaten without either mirth or music is ill of digestion.

Do not Christians and Heathens, and Jews and Gentiles, and poets and philosophers, unite in allowing the starry influences?

All live by seeming. The beggar begs with it, and the gay courtier Gains land and title, rank and rule, by seeming; The clergy scorn it not, and the bold soldier Will eke with it his service.--All admit it, All practise it; and he who is content With showing what he is, shall have small credit In church, or camp, or state.--So wags the world.

He that follows the advice of reason has a mind that is elevated above the reach of injury; that sits above the clouds, in a calm and quiet ether, and with a brave indifferency hears the rolling thunders grumble and burst under his feet.

...crystal and hearts would lose all their merit in the world if it were not for their fragility.

Commend me to sterling honesty though clad in rags.

Affection can withstand very severe storms of vigor, but not a long polar frost of indifference.

Though varying wishes, hopes, and fears, Fever'd the progress of these years, Yet now, days, weeks, and months but seem The recollection of a dream.

My hope, my heaven, my trust must be, My gentle guide, in following thee.

You will, I trust, resemble a forest plant, which has indeed, by some accident, been brought up in the greenhouse, and thus rendered delicate and effeminate, but which regains its native firmness and tenacity, when exposed for a season to the winter air.

There is a vulgar incredulity, which in historical matters, as well as in those of religion, finds it easier to doubt than to examine.

I will suppose that you have no friends to share or rejoice in your success in life — that you cannot look back to those to whom you owe gratitude, or forward to those to whom you ought to afford protection; but it is no less incumbent on you to move steadily in the path of duty — for your active exertions are due not only to society, but in humble titude to the Being who made you a member of it, with powers to serve yourself and others.

I envy thee not thy faith, which is ever in thy mouth but never in thy heart nor in thy practice

A rusted nail, placed near the faithful compass, Will sway it from the truth, and wreck the argosy.

And better had they ne'er been born, Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.

Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can, Come saddle your horses, and call up your men; Come open the West Port, and let me gang free, And it's room for the bonnets of Bonny Dundee!

Many miles away there's a shadow on the door of a cottage on the Shore of a dark Scottish lake.

Oh, on that day, that wrathful day, When man to judgment wakes front clay, Be Thou, O Christ, the sinner's stay, Though heaven and earth shall pass away.