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An old novel has a history of its own.

Alexander Smith

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Alexander Smith
Age: 36 †
Born: 1830
Born: December 31
Died: 1867
Died: January 5
Poet
Cille Mheàrnaig
Novel
Fiction
History

More quotes by Alexander Smith

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To have to die is a distinction of which no man is proud.
Alexander Smith
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In life there is nothing more unexpected and surprising than the arrivals and departures of pleasure. If we find it in one place today, it is vain to seek it there tomorrow. You can not lay a trap for it.
Alexander Smith
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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
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I would rather be remembered by a song than by a victory.
Alexander Smith
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To bring the best human qualities to anything like perfection, to fill them with the sweet juices of courtesy and charity, prosperity, or, at all events, a moderate amount of it, is required,--just as sunshine is needed for the ripening of peaches and apricots.
Alexander Smith
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Nature never quite goes along with us. She is somber at weddings, sunny at funerals, and she frowns on ninety-nine out of a hundred picnics.
Alexander Smith
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Every man's road in life is marked by the grave of his personal likings.
Alexander Smith
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Vanity in its idler moments is benevolent, is as willing to give pleasure as to take it, and accepts as sufficient reward for its services a kind word or an approving smile.
Alexander Smith
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A tender sadness drops upon my soul, like the soft twilight dropping on the world.
Alexander Smith
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The only thing a man knows is himself.
Alexander Smith
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The sea complains upon a thousand shores.
Alexander Smith
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The spot of ground on which a man has stood is forever interesting to him.
Alexander Smith
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The dead keep their secrets, and in a while we shall be as wise as they - and as taciturn.
Alexander Smith
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Trees are your best antiques
Alexander Smith
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Everything is sweetened by risk.
Alexander Smith
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A man does not plant a tree for himself he plants it for posterity.
Alexander Smith
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How deeply seated in the human heart is the liking for gardens and gardening.
Alexander Smith
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Death is the ugly fact which Nature has to hide, and she hides it well.
Alexander Smith
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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
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The great man is the man who does a thing for the first time.
Alexander Smith