Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

Walter Scott Novelist

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: Scotland
  • Born: Aug 15, 1771
  • Died: Sep 21, 1832

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet, FRSE was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet.

Scott was the first English-language author to have a truly international career in his lifetime, with many contemporary readers in Europe, Australia, and North America. His novels and poetry are still read, and many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor.

Although primarily remembered for his extensive literary works and his political engagement, Scott was an advocate, judge and legal administrator by profession, and throughout his career combined his writing and editing work with his daily occupation as Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire.

A prominent member of the Tory establishment in Edinburgh, Scott was an active member of the Highland Society and served a long term as President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn. nature

For success, attitude is equally as important as ability. attitude & success

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

There is a vulgar incredulity, which in historical matters, as well as in those of religion, finds it easier to doubt than to examine. religion

A rusty nail placed near a faithful compass, will sway it from the truth, and wreck the argosy. truth

When thinking about companions gone, we feel ourselves doubly alone. alone

To all, to each, a fair good-night, and pleasing dreams, and slumbers light. dreams

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

Each age has deemed the new-born year the fittest time for festal cheer. age & New Year's Day

It is wonderful what strength of purpose and boldness and energy of will are roused by the assurance that we are doing our duty. strength

He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles. best & power

Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities. attitude, business, failure & success

Look back, and smile on perils past. smile

Success - keeping your mind awake and your desire asleep. success

One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name. age