Walter Scott Quotes

Scottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771–1832)

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (August 15, 1771 – September 21, 1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright and historian popular throughout Europe during his time. He had a major impact on European and American literature. As an advocate, judge and legal administrator by profession, he combined writing and editing with daily work as Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire. He was prominent in Edinburgh's Tory establishment, active in the Highland Society, long a president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1820–1832), and a vice president of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (1827–1829). His knowledge of history and literary facility equipped him to establish the historical novel genre and as an exemplar of European Romanticism.

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Pen Names: Jedediah Cleishbotham • Laurence Templeton • Somnambulus • Malachi Malagrowther • Clutterbuck • Lawrence Templeton

Also Known As: Border Minstrel

Alternative Names: Walter Skott • Sir Walter Scott, Bart. • Sir Walter Scott • Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet • Great Magician • The Great Unknown • Walter Sir Scott • Wizard of the North

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The rose is fairest when 't is budding new,
And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.
The rose is sweetest wash'd with morning dew,
And love is loveliest when embalm'd in tears.

Is death the last sleep? No, it is the last and final awakening.

Perhaps the perusal of such works may, without injustice, be compared with the use of opiates, baneful, when habitually and constantly resorted to, but of most blessed power in those moments of pain and of langour, when the whole head is sore, and the whole heart sick. If those who rail indiscriminately at this species of composition, were to consider the quantity of actual pleasure it produces, and the much greater proportion of real sorrow and distress which it alleviates, their philanthropy ought to moderate their critical pride, or religious intolerance.

Me, on whom, in case of failure — which Heaven forefend! —

There is a southern proverb—fine words butter no parsnips.

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive.

Heaven knows its time; the bullet has its billet.

War's a fearsome thing. They'll be cunning that catches me at this wark again.

Far better was our homely diet, eaten in peace and liberty, than the luxurious dainties, the love of which hath delivered us as bondsmen to the foreign conqueror!

"I have heard men talk about the blessings of freedom," he said to himself, "but I wish any wise man would teach me what use to make of it now that I have it."

And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace
A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace
Of finer form or lovelier face.

Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.

Some feelings are to mortals given
With less of earth in them than heaven;
And if there be a human tear
From passion's dross refined and clear,
A tear so limpid and so meek
It would not stain an angel's cheek,
'Tis that which pious fathers shed
Upon a duteous daughter's head!

Come one, come all! this rock shall fly
From its firm base as soon as I.