Walter Scott Quotes

232 Sourced Quotes

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.

Walter Scott
He that climbs the tall tree has won right to the fruit, He that leaps the wide gulf should prevail in his suit.

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

Walter Scott
It was woman that taught me cruelty, and on woman therefore I have exercised it.

Walter Scott
Heap on more wood!-the wind is chill;
But let it whistle as it will,
We'll keep our Christmas merry still.

Walter Scott
So shall he strive, in changeful hue,
Field, feast, and combat, to renew,
And loves, and arms, and harpers' glee,
And all the pomp of chivalry.

Walter Scott
The stubborn spear-men still made good
Their dark impenetrable wood,
Each stepping where his comrade stood,
The instant that he fell.

Walter Scott
He is gone on the mountain,
He is lost to the forest,
Like a summer-dried fountain,
When our need was the sorest.

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

Walter Scott
O come ye in peace here, or come ye in war,
Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?

Walter Scott
And better had they ne'er been born,
Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.

Walter Scott
With head upraised, and look intent,
And eye and ear attentive bent,
And locks flung back, and lips apart,
Like monument of Grecian art,
In listening mood, she seemed to stand,
The guardian Naiad of the strand.

Walter Scott
November's sky is chill and drear,
November's leaf is red and sear.

Walter Scott
Vacant heart, and hand, and eye,
Easy live and quiet die.

Walter Scott
The eye of the yeoman and peasant sought in vain the tall form of old Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley, as, wrapped in his laced cloak, and with beard and whiskers duly composed, he moved slowly through the aisles, followed be the faithful mastiff, or bloodhound, which in old time had saved his master by his fidelity, and which regularly followed him to church. Bevis indeed, fell under the proverb which avers, 'He is a good dog, which goes to church'; for, bating an occasional temptation to warble along with the accord, he behaved himself as decorously as any of the congregation, and returned much edified, perhaps, as most of them.

Walter Scott
The wind breath'd soft as lover's sigh,
And, oft renew'd, seem'd oft to die,
With breathless pause between,
O who, with speech of war and woes,
Would wish to break the soft repose
Of such enchanting scene!

Walter Scott
Dear to me is my bonnie white steed; Oft has he helped me at pinch of need.

Walter Scott
Will future ages believe that such stupid bigotry ever existed!

Walter Scott
Each age has deemed the new-born year the fittest time for festal cheer.

Walter Scott
Spur not an unbroken horse; put not your plowshare too deep into new land.

Walter Scott
Were I my own man…I would refuse this offer (with all gratitude); but as I am situated, L.300 or L.400 a-year is not to be sneezed at.
On being offered the Laureateship

Walter Scott
I envy thee not thy faith, which is ever in thy mouth but never in thy heart nor in thy practice

Walter Scott
'T is an old tale and often told;
But did my fate and wish agree,
Ne'er had been read, in story old,
Of maiden true betray'd for gold,
That loved, or was avenged, like me.

Walter Scott
March, march, Eskdale and Liddesdale,
All the Blue Bonnets are bound for the Border.

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

Walter Scott
Oh for a blast of that dread horn
On Fontarabian echoes borne!

Walter Scott
Women are but the toys which amuse our lighter hours-ambition is the serious business of life.

Walter Scott
It is equally a fault to believe all men or to believe none.

Walter Scott
That day of wrath, that dreadful day,
When heaven and earth shall pass away,
What power shall be the sinner's stay?
How shall he meet that dreadful day?

Walter Scott
The willow which bends to the tempest often escapes better than the oak which resists it.

Walter Scott