Quote

The only thing a man knows is himself.

Alexander Smith

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Alexander Smith
Age: 36 †
Born: 1830
Born: December 31
Died: 1867
Died: January 5
Poet
Cille Mheàrnaig
Thing
Men

More quotes by Alexander Smith

Image
Looking forward into an empty year strikes one with a certain awe, because one finds therein no recognition. The years behind have a friendly aspect, and they are warmed by the fires we have kindled, and all their echoes are the echoes of our own voices.
Alexander Smith
Image
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
Image
If we were to live here always, with no other care than how to feed, clothe, and house ourselves, life would be a very sorry business. It is immeasurably heightened by the solemnity of death.
Alexander Smith
Image
It is a characteristic of pleasure that we can never recognize it to be pleasure till after it is gone.
Alexander Smith
Image
Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition.
Alexander Smith
Image
Pride's chickens have bonny feathers, but they are an expensive brood to rear. They eat up everything, and are always lean when brought to market.
Alexander Smith
Image
Happiness never lays its finger on its pulse. If we attempt to steal a glimpse of its features it disappears.
Alexander Smith
Image
Winter does not work only on a broad scale he is careful in trifles.
Alexander Smith
Image
The dead keep their secrets, and in a while we shall be as wise as they - and as taciturn.
Alexander Smith
Image
The sea complains upon a thousand shores.
Alexander Smith
Image
A man's real possession is his memory. In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor.
Alexander Smith
Image
A bottomless pit of violence, a Tower of Babel where all are speakers and no hearers.
Alexander Smith
Image
Pleasure has no logic it never treads in its own footsteps.
Alexander Smith
Image
How beautiful the yesterday that stood Over me like a rainbow! I am alone, The past is past. I see the future stretch All dark and barren as a rainy sea.
Alexander Smith
Image
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
Image
Some books are drenchèd sandsOn which a great soul's wealth lies all in heaps,Like a wrecked argosy.
Alexander Smith
Image
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
Image
We are never happy we can only remember that we were so once.
Alexander Smith
Image
We bury love Forgetfulness grows over it like grass: That is a thing to weep for, not the dead.
Alexander Smith
Image
I have learned to prize the quiet, lightning deed, not the applauding thunder at its heels that men call fame.
Alexander Smith