The best-concerted schemes men lay for fame, Die fast away: only themselves die faster. The far-fam'd sculptor, and the laurell'd bard, Those bold insurancers of deathless fame, Supply their little feeble aids in vain. Robert Blair More Quotes by Robert Blair More Quotes From Robert Blair The good he scorn'd Stalk'd off reluctant, like an ill-us'd ghost, Not to return; or if it did, its visits Like those of angels, short, and far between. Robert Blair return angel ghost Friendship! Mysterious cement of the soul, Sweet'ner of life, and solder of society. Robert Blair soul sweet friendship 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. Robert Blair mind giving men How blunt are all the arrows of thy quiver in comparison with those of guilt. Robert Blair arrows guilt stupid 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. Robert Blair progress maturity vegetables Affectation is certain deformity; by forming themselves on fantastic models, the young begin with being ridiculous, and often end in being vicious. Robert Blair fantastic affection ridiculous Its visits, like those of angels, short, and far between. Robert Blair angel Beauty! thou pretty plaything! dear deceit, That steals so softly o'er the stripling's heart, And gives it a new pulse unknown before! Robert Blair heart beauty giving The tap'ring pyramid, the Egyptian's pride, And wonder of the world, whose spiky top Has wounded the thick cloud. Robert Blair pride pyramids clouds The common damn'd shun their society. Robert Blair damn suicide common How shocking must thy summons be, O death, to him that is at ease in his possessions! who, counting on long years of pleasure here, is quite unfurnished for the world to come. Robert Blair ease long years When it draws near to witching time of night. Robert Blair draws night-time night Action, so to speak, is the genius of nature. Robert Blair genius nature action The grave, dread thing! Men shiver when thou'rt named: Nature appalled, Shakes off her wonted firmness. Robert Blair graves fear men Whistling aloud to bear his courage up. Robert Blair whistling courage bears Of joys departed, not to return, how painful the remembrance Robert Blair remembrance pain joy Our time is fixed, and all our days are number'd; Robert Blair numbers giving long That discipline which corrects the eagerness of worldly passions, which fortifies the heart with virtuous principles, which enlightens the mind with useful knowledge, and furnishes to it matter of enjoyment from within itself, is of more consequence to real felicity than all the provisions which we can make of the goods of fortune. Robert Blair real heart knowledge But if there be an hereafter,And that there is, conscience, uninfluenc'dAnd suffer'd to speak out, tells every man,Then must it be an awful thing to die;More horrid yet to die by one's own hand. Robert Blair speaks-out men hands
