William Drummond Quotes

A collection of quotes by William Drummond.

William Drummond (1585-1649) was a Scottish poet and courtier, known for his significant contributions to Scottish literature. Born in Hawthornden, he studied at the University of Edinburgh before embarking on a grand tour of Europe. Drummond served as a courtier to King James VI and later Charles I, where he cultivated his poetic talent and became a prominent figure in literary circles. His works, including sonnets, poems, and political tracts, reflected his deep appreciation for nature, love, and philosophical themes. Drummond's writings, characterized by their elegance and lyricism, continue to inspire and captivate readers today.

There is a silence, the child of love, which expresses every

There is a silence, the child of love, which expresses everything, and proclaims more loudly than the tongue is able to do.

William Drummond

He who dares not (reason), is a slave.

He who dares not (reason), is a slave.

William Drummond

He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is

He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; and he that dares not reason is a slave.

William Drummond

Put a bridle on thy tongue set a guard before thy lips, lest

Put a bridle on thy tongue set a guard before thy lips, lest the words of thine own mouth destroy thy peace... on much speaking cometh repentance, but in silence is safety.

William Drummond

All that the hand of man can uprear, is either overturned by

All that the hand of man can uprear, is either overturned by the hand of man, or at length by standing and continuing consumed: as if there were a secret opposition in Fate (the unevitable decree of the Eternal) to control our industry, and countercheck all our devices and proposing. Possessions are not enduring, children lose their names. . . .

William Drummond