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Quotes by Robert Blair

Action, so to speak, is the genius of nature.
– Robert Blair
Affectation is certain deformity; by forming themselves on fantastic models, the young begin with being ridiculous, and often end in being vicious.
– Robert Blair
Anxiety is the poison of humans life. It is the parent of many sins, and of more miseries. In a world where everything is doubtful, where you may be disappointed, and be blessed in dis-appointment, what means this restless stir and commotion of mind? Can your solicitude alter the cause or unravel the intricacy of human events?
– Robert Blair
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
But if there be an hereafter, And that there is, conscience, uninfluenc'd And 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
Careless, unsocial plant! that loves to dwell 'Midst skulls and coffins, epitaphs and worms: Where light-heel'd ghosts and visionary shades, Beneath the wan, cold Moon (as Fame reports) Embodied, thick, perform their mystic rounds No other merriment, dull tree! is thine.
– Robert Blair
Friendship! Mysterious cement of the soul, Sweet'ner of life, and solder of society.
– Robert Blair
How blunt are all the arrows of thy quiver in comparison with those of guilt.
– Robert Blair
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 unfurnish'd for that world to come!
– Robert Blair
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
O cursed lust of gold; when for thy sake, The fool throws up his interest in both worlds, First starved in this, then damn'd in that to come.
– Robert Blair
Of joys departed, not to return, how painful the remembrance.
– Robert Blair
Our time is fixed, and all our days are number'd; How long, how short, we know not: - this we know, Duty requires we calmly wait the summons, Nor dare to stir till Heaven shall give permission.
– Robert Blair
See yonder maker of the dead man's bed, The sexton, hoary-headed chronicle, Of hard, unmeaning face, down which ne'er stole A gentle tear.
– Robert Blair
Smiled like yon knot of cowslips on a cliff.
– Robert Blair
Sure 'tis a serious thing to die! My soul! What a strange moment it be, when, near Thy journey's end, thou hast the gulf in view! That awful gulf, no mortal e'er repass'd,To tell what's doing on the other side.
– Robert Blair
Th' oppressive, sturdy, man-destroying villains, Who ravag'd kingdoms, and laid empires waste, And in a cruel wantonness of power, Thinn'd states of half their people, and gave up To want the rest.
– Robert Blair
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. The tap'ring pyramid, the Egyptian's pride, And wonder of the world, whose spiky top Has wounded the thick cloud.
– Robert Blair
The common damn'd shun their society.
– Robert Blair
The good he scorned Stalked off reluctant, like an ill-used ghost, Not to return; or if it did, in visits Like those of angels, short and far between.
– Robert Blair
The grave, dread thing! Men shiver when thou'rt named: Nature appalled, Shakes off her wonted firmness.
– Robert Blair
The schoolboy, with his satchel in his hand, Whistling aloud to bear his courage up.
– Robert Blair
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
'Tis long since Death had the majority.
– Robert Blair
When it draws near to witching time of night.
– Robert Blair
Who gather round, and wonder at the tale Of horrid apparition, tall and ghastly, That walks at dead of night, or takes his stand O'er some new-open'd grave; and, (strange to tell!) Evanishes at crowing of the cock.
– Robert Blair
Ye undertakers, tell us, 'Midst all the gorgeous figures you exhibit, Why is the principal conceal'd, for which You make this mighty stir?
– Robert Blair