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.

True love's the gift which God has given to man alone beneath the heaven.

I was born a Scotsman and a bare one. Therefore I was born to fight my way in the world.

Do not Christians and Heathens, and Jews and Gentiles, and poets and philosophers, unite in allowing the starry influences?

Great talent has always a little madness mixed up with it.

War is the only game in which both sides lose.

A few drops sprinkled on the torch of love make the flame blaze the brighter.