I pick my favourite quotations and store them in my mind as ready armour, offensive or defensive, amid the struggle of this turbulent existence.

Critics! Those cut-throat bandits in the paths of fame.

Then gently scan your brother man, Still gentler sister woman; Though they may gang a kennin' wrang, To step aside is human.

Nae man can tether time or tide; The hour approachesTam maun ride; That hour, o'night's black arch the key-stane, That dreary hourTam mounts his beast in.

God knows, I'm no the thing I should be, Nor am I even the thing I could be.

When matters are desperate we must put on a desperate face.

Life is but a day at most.