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. Alexander Smith More Quotes by Alexander Smith More Quotes From Alexander Smith If you wish to preserve your secret, wrap it up in frankness. Alexander Smith secrecy secret wish The great man is the man who does a thing for the first time. Alexander Smith doe men firsts A man does not plant a tree for himself; he plants it for posterity. Alexander Smith doe tree men I go into my library, and all history unrolls before me. I breathe the morning air of the world while the scent of Eden's roses yet lingered in it, while it vibrated only to the world's first brood of nightingales, and to the laugh of Eve. I see the pyramids building; I hear the shoutings of the armies of Alexander. Alexander Smith army morning night The saddest thing that befalls a soul is when it loses faith in god and woman. Alexander Smith saddest soul faith Stirling, like a huge brooch, clasps Highlands and Lowlands together. Alexander Smith brooches scottish together The spot of ground on which a man has stood is forever interesting to him. Alexander Smith forever men interesting Style, after all, rather than thought, is the immortal thing in literature. Alexander Smith immortal style literature The man who in this world can keep the whiteness of his soul is not likely to lose it in any other. Alexander Smith soul men world The truly great rest in the knowledge of their own deserts, nor seek the conformation of the world. Alexander Smith desert greatness world Your death and my death are mainly of importance to ourselves. The black plumes will be stripped off our hearses within the hour; tears will dry, hurt hearts close again, our graves grow level with the church-yard, and although we are away, the world wags on. It does not miss us; and those who are near us, when the first strangeness of vacancy wears off, will not miss us much either. Alexander Smith hurt missing heart Thoughts must come naturally, like wild-flowers; they cannot be forced in a hot-bed, even although aided by the leaf-mould of your past. Alexander Smith bed flower past Death, which we are accustomed to consider an evil, really acts for us the friendliest part, and takes away the commonplace of existence. Alexander Smith life-death commonplace death Not on the stage alone, in the world also, a man's real character comes out best in his asides. Alexander Smith real character men The pale child, Eve, leading her mother, Night. Alexander Smith mother night children We twain have met like the ships upon the sea, Who behold an hour's converse, so short, so sweet: One little hour! and then, away they speed On lonely paths, through mist, and cloud, and foam, To meet no more. Alexander Smith lonely clouds sweet 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. Alexander Smith individuality greatness artist Eternity doth wear upon her face the veil of time. They only see the veil, and thus they know not what they stand so near! Alexander Smith veils eternity faces A man can bear a world's contempt when he has that within which says he's worthy. When he contemns himself, there burns the hell. Alexander Smith bears men world A brave soul is a thing which all things serve. Alexander Smith soul all-things bravery
