Quotes by Robert Blair

“Of joys departed, not to return, how painful the remembrance”

“Affectation is certain deformity; by forming themselves on fantastic models, the young begin with being ridiculous, and often end in being vicious.”

“How blunt are all the arrows of thy quiver in comparison with those of guilt.”

“When it draws near to witching time of night.”

“Throughout the whole vegetable, sensible, and rational world, whatever makes progress towards maturity, as soon as it has passed that point, begins to verge towards decay.”

“See yonder maker of the dead mans bed, The sexton, hoary-headed chronicle, Of hard, unmeaning face, down which neer stole A gentle tear.”

“Industry is not only the instrument of improvement, but the foundation of pleasure. He who is a stranger to it may possess, but cannot enjoy, for it is labor only which gives relish to pleasure. It is the indispensable condition of possessing a sound mind in a sound body, and it is the appointed vehicle of every good to man.”

“The schoolboy, with his satchel in his hand,/ Whistling aloud to bear his courage up.”

“Its visits, / Like those of angels, short, and far between.”

“Action, so to speak, is the genius of nature.”

Friendship! Mysterious cement of the soul, Sweetner of life, and solder of society.