Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet, FRSEwas a Scottish historical novelist, playwright and poet with many contemporary readers in Europe, Australia, and North America...
NationalityScottish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth15 August 1771
faithful wrecks association
A rusty nail placed near a faithful compass, will sway it from the truth, and wreck the argosy.
spring autumn tree
Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.
broken-heart archer may
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!
lonely loneliness thinking
When thinking about companions gone, we feel ourselves doubly alone.
law history historical
A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect.
drinking greatness alcohol
Of all vices, drinking is the most incompatible with greatness.
historical religion doubt
There is a vulgar incredulity, which in historical matters, as well as in those of religion, finds it easier to doubt than to examine.
nature ambition perfection
To be ambitious of true honor, of the true glory and perfection of our natures, is the very principle and incentive of virtue.
judging perfection reason
Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life.
tree fruit suits
He that climbs the tall tree has won right to the fruit, He that leaps the wide gulf should prevail in his suit.
heart hands
A sinful heart makes feeble hand.
wise fool speech
A fool's wild speech confounds the wise.
religious pain real
Perhaps the perusal of such works may, without injustice, be compared with the use of opiates, baneful, when habitually and constantly resorted to, but of most blessed power in those moments of pain and of langour, when the whole head is sore, and the whole heart sick. If those who rail indiscriminately at this species of composition, were to consider the quantity of actual pleasure it produces, and the much greater proportion of real sorrow and distress which it alleviates, their philanthropy ought to moderate their critical pride, or religious intolerance.
animal monk trusted
Certainly," quoth Athelstane, "women are the least to be trusted of all animals, monks and abbots excepted.