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Walter Scott Quotes

Baronet Scott

Walter Scott, born on August 15, 1771, and died on September 21, 1832, was a renowned British baronet. He is best known for his extensive literary works, particularly his historical novels and poetry.

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Famous Walter Scott Quotes

“For monarchs seldom sigh in vain.”

Vain Sigh Royalty Monarchy Monarchs

Book:The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott: With a Sketch of His Life

Source: The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott: With a Sketch of His Life

“A Finnan haddock has a relish of a peculiar and delicate flavour, inimitable on any other coast than that of Aberdeenshire. Some of our Edinburgh philosophers tried to produce their equal in vain. I was one of a party at dinner where the philosophical haddocks were placed in competition with the genuine Finnan fish. These were served round without distinguishing whence they came; but only one gentleman out of twelve present espoused the cause of philosophy.”

“Alas!... what is it, valiant knight, save an offering of sacrifice to a demon of vain glory, and a passing through the fire of Moloch? What remains to you as a prize of all the blood you have spilled, of all the travail and pain you have endured, of all the tears which your deeds have caused, when death hath broken the strong man's spear, and overtaken the speed of his war-horse?”

Source: Heroes of the Scottish Highlands: Ivanhoe, Waverley and Rob Roy (3 Unabridged Illustrated Classics): Historical Novels from the Author of The Pirate, The Heart of Midlothian, Old Mortality, The Guy Mannering, The Antiquary, The Bride of Lammermoor and Anne of Geierstein

“Never was flattery lost on a poet's ear; a simple race, they waste their toil for the vain tribute of a smile.”

Lost Simple Race Poet Waste Ears Vain Toil Flattery Tribute

Author:Walter Scott

“Spangling the wave with lights as vain As pleasures in the vale of pain, That dazzle as they fade.”

Light Pain Pleasure Wave Vain Fades Dazzle

Book:The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott, Bart

Source: The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott, Bart

“Lightly from fair to fair he flew, And loved to plead, lament, and sue; Suit lightly won, and short-lived pain, For monarchs seldom sigh in vain.”

Life Pain Fairs Suits Vain Sigh Flew Monarchs Lament Short Lived

Book:The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott

Source: The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott

“Who o'er the herd would wish to reign, Fantastic, fickle, fierce, and vain! Vain as the leaf upon the stream, And fickle as a changeful dream; Fantastic as a woman's mood, And fierce as Frenzy's fever'd blood. Thou many-headed monster thing, Oh who would wish to be thy king!”