Robert Blair Quotes

15 Sourced Quotes

Of joys departed,
Not to return, how painful the remembrance!

Robert Blair
The good he scorn'd
Stalk'd off reluctant, like an ill-used ghost,
Not to return; or if it did, in visits
Like those of angels, short and far between.

Robert Blair
But if there be an hereafter,
And that there is, conscience, uninfluenc'd
And suffer'd to speak out, tells every man,
Then must it be an awful thing to die;
More horrid yet to die by one's own hand.

Robert Blair
Friendship! mysterious cement of the soul!
Sweetener of life! and solder of society!

Robert Blair
Our time is fixed, and all our days are number'd;
How long, how short, we know not:—this we know,
Duty requires we calmly wait the summons,
Nor dare to stir till Heaven shall give permission.

Robert Blair
The Schoolboy, with his satchel in his hand,
Whistling aloud to bear his courage up.

Robert Blair
Smiled like yon knot of cowslips on the cliff,
Not to be come at by the willing hand.

Robert Blair
Oft, in the lone church-yard at night I've seen,
The schoolboy with a satchel in his hand,
Whistling aloud to keep his courage up…
Sudden he starts! and hears, or thinks he hears,
The sound of something purring at his heels;
Full fast he flies, and dares not look behind him,
Till out of breath, he overtakes his fellows.

Robert Blair
The Grave, dread thing!
Men shiver when thou 'rt named: Nature, appall'd,
Shakes off her wonted firmness.

Robert Blair
The cup goes round:
And who so artful as to put it by!
'T is long since Death had the majority.

Robert Blair
Industry is not only the instrument of improvement, but the foundation of pleasure. He who is a stranger to it may possess, but cannot enjoy, for it is labor only which gives relish to pleasure. It is the indispensable condition of possessing a sound mind in a sound body, and it is the appointed vehicle of every good to man.

Robert Blair
How shocking must thy summons be, O death, to him that is at ease in his possessions! who, counting on long years of pleasure here, is quite unfurnished for the world to come.

Robert Blair
Beauty! thou pretty plaything! dear deceit, That steals so softly o'er the stripling's heart, And gives it a new pulse unknown before!

Robert Blair
The tap'ring pyramid, the Egyptian's pride, And wonder of the world, whose spiky top Has wounded the thick cloud.

Robert Blair
The best-concerted schemes men lay for fame, Die fast away: only themselves die faster. The far-fam'd sculptor, and the laurell'd bard, Those bold insurancers of deathless fame, Supply their little feeble aids in vain.

Robert Blair