Alexander Smith Quotes

A collection of quotes by Alexander Smith.

Alexander Smith is a renowned Scottish poet and essayist, born on December 31, 1830, in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Unfortunately, his life was cut tragically short, and he passed away at the young age of 26 on January 5, 1867. Despite his brief existence, Smith's literary contributions left a lasting impact on the Victorian era.

Smith's most celebrated work is his debut collection of poems, "A Life-Drama," published in 1853. This volume, characterized by its introspective and lyrical style, gained significant acclaim. It was praised by influential authors of the time, including William Wordsworth and Algernon Charles Swinburne.

In addition to his poetry, Smith penned numerous thought-provoking essays that explored a wide range of subjects, from art criticism to social commentary. His essays were published in prominent periodicals, such as the Edinburgh Evening Courant and the North British Review.

Smith's writing captivated readers with its profound insights into human emotion and the human condition. His work often explored themes of melancholy, longing, and the beauty of nature, which resonated with many Victorian readers.

Despite his untimely death, Alexander Smith's contributions to literature continue to be studied and admired to this day. His work serves as a testament to his talent, intelligence, and sensitivity, making him a figure of significance in Scottish literary history.

A man doesn't plant a tree for himself. He plants it for pos

A man doesn't plant a tree for himself. He plants it for posterity.

Alexander Smith

Trifles make up the happiness or the misery of human life.

Trifles make up the happiness or the misery of human life.

Alexander Smith

I would rather be remembered by a song than by a victory.

I would rather be remembered by a song than by a victory.

Alexander Smith

To be occasionally quoted is the only fame I care for.

To be occasionally quoted is the only fame I care for.

Alexander Smith

If you wish to preserve your secret, wrap it up in frankness

If you wish to preserve your secret, wrap it up in frankness.

Alexander Smith

Your death and my death are mainly of importance to ourselve

Your death and my death are mainly of importance to ourselves. The black plumes will be stripped off our hearses within the hour; tears will dry, hurt hearts close again, our graves grow level with the church-yard, and although we are away, the world wags on. It does not miss us; and those who are near us, when the first strangeness of vacancy wears off, will not miss us much either.

Alexander Smith

Everything is sweetened by risk.

Everything is sweetened by risk.

Alexander Smith

If the egotist is weak, his egotism is worthless. If the ego

If the egotist is weak, his egotism is worthless. If the egotist is strong, acute, full of distinctive character, his egotism is precious, and remains a possession of the race.

Alexander Smith

A man gazing on the stars is proverbially at the mercy of th

A man gazing on the stars is proverbially at the mercy of the puddles in the road.

Alexander Smith

I go into my library, and all history unrolls before me. I b

I go into my library, and all history unrolls before me. I breathe the morning air of the world while the scent of Eden's roses yet lingered in it, while it vibrated only to the world's first brood of nightingales, and to the laugh of Eve. I see the pyramids building; I hear the shoutings of the armies of Alexander.

Alexander Smith

Every man's road in life is marked by the grave of his perso

Every man's road in life is marked by the grave of his personal likings.

Alexander Smith

A man's real possession is his memory. In nothing else is he

A man's real possession is his memory. In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor.

Alexander Smith

We are never happy; we can only remember that we were so onc

We are never happy; we can only remember that we were so once.

Alexander Smith

The sea complains upon a thousand shores.

The sea complains upon a thousand shores.

Alexander Smith

Christmas is the day that holds all time together.

Christmas is the day that holds all time together.

Alexander Smith

The saddest thing that befalls a soul is when it loses faith

The saddest thing that befalls a soul is when it loses faith in God and woman.

Alexander Smith

How deeply seated in the human heart is the liking for garde

How deeply seated in the human heart is the liking for gardens and gardening.

Alexander Smith

Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the de

Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition.

Alexander Smith

Death is the ugly fact which Nature has to hide, and she hid

Death is the ugly fact which Nature has to hide, and she hides it well.

Alexander Smith

If you wish to make a man look noble, your best course is to

If you wish to make a man look noble, your best course is to kill him. What superiority he may have inherited from his race, what superiority nature may have personally gifted him with, comes out in death.

Alexander Smith