Sir Walter Scott Quotes

A collection of quotes by Sir Walter Scott.

Sir Walter Scott was a renowned Scottish poet, novelist, and historian, born on August 15, 1771, in Edinburgh. He is known for his influential role in preserving Scottish cultural identity through his profound works, such as "Waverley" and "Ivanhoe." Scott's writings often depicted historical events, chivalry, and introduced the genre of historical fiction. His vivid storytelling and poetic style captivated readers, earning him immense popularity and acclaim during the Romantic period. Through his literary contributions, Sir Walter Scott elevated the status of Scottish literature and played a significant role in shaping the literary traditions of the 19th century.

The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better

The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better than the oak which resists it; and so in great calamities, it sometimes happens that light and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and presence of mind sooner than those of a loftier character.

Sir Walter Scott

To be always intending to live a new life, but never find ti

To be always intending to live a new life, but never find time to set about it - this is as if a man should put off eating and drinking from one day to another till he be starved and destroyed.

Sir Walter Scott

Teach you children poetry; it opens the mind, lends grace to

Teach you children poetry; it opens the mind, lends grace to wisdom and makes the heroic virtues hereditary.

Sir Walter Scott

Look back, and smile at perils past.

Look back, and smile at perils past.

Sir Walter Scott

Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife! To all the sensual

Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife! To all the sensual world proclaim. One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.

Sir Walter Scott

A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere

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.

Sir Walter Scott

'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale; 'twas Christmas

'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale; 'twas Christmas told the merriest tale; a Christmas gambol oft could cheer the poor man's heart through half the year.

Sir Walter Scott

But with morning cool repentance came.

But with morning cool repentance came.

Sir Walter Scott

One hour of life, crowded to the full with glorious action,

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.

Sir Walter Scott

The will to do, the soul to dare.

The will to do, the soul to dare.

Sir Walter Scott

Faces that have charmed us the most escape us the soonest.

Faces that have charmed us the most escape us the soonest.

Sir Walter Scott

Breathes there the man with soul so dead, Who never to himse

Breathes there the man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land!

Sir Walter Scott

Ridicule often checks what is absurd, and fully as often smo

Ridicule often checks what is absurd, and fully as often smothers that which is noble.

Sir Walter Scott

Adversity is, to me at least, a tonic and a bracer.

Adversity is, to me at least, a tonic and a bracer.

Sir Walter Scott

Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligatio

Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.

Sir Walter Scott

Of all vices, drinking is the most incompatible with greatne

Of all vices, drinking is the most incompatible with greatness.

Sir Walter Scott

Alcohol/alcoholism

If you have no friends to share or rejoice in your success i

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

Sir Walter Scott

If you once turn on your side after the hour at which you ou

If you once turn on your side after the hour at which you ought to rise, it is all over. Bolt up at once.

Sir Walter Scott

The faces that have charmed us the most escape us the soones

The faces that have charmed us the most escape us the soonest.

Sir Walter Scott

The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each

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.

Sir Walter Scott