A tender sadness drops upon my soul, like the soft twilight dropping on the world.

One never hugs one's good luck so affectionately as when listening to the relation of some horrible misfortunes which has overtaken others.

In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.

Fine phrases I value more than bank-notes. I have ear for no other harmony than the harmony of words. To be occasionally quoted is the only fame I care for.

Stirling, like a huge brooch, clasps Highlands and Lowlands together.

The greatness of an artist or a writer does not depend on what he has in common with other artists and writers, but on what he has peculiar to himself.

If the egotist is weak, his egotism is worthless. If the egotist is strong, acute, full of distinctive character, his egotism is precious, and remains a possession of the race.