Scotland: That garret of the earth - that knuckle-end of England - that land of Calvin, oatcakes, and sulfur.

Heat, ma am! It was so dreadful here that I found there was nothing left for it but to take off my flesh and sit in my bones.

Find fault, when you must find fault, in private, if possible; and some time after the offense, rather than at the time.

Do not try to push your way through to the front ranks of your profession; do not run after distinctions and rewards; but do your utmost to find an entry into the world of beauty.

I always fear that creation will expire before teatime.

Solitude cherishes great virtues and destroys little ones.

When I hear any man talk of an unalterable law, the only effect it produces on me is to convince me that he is an unalterable fool