Vanity dies hard; in some obstinate cases it outlives the man.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, The Wrecker
A man must not deny his manifest abilities, for that is to evade his obligations.
It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, "Forest Notes"
In winter I get up at night,
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way
I have to go to bed by day.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, In Winter I get up at Night
Let any one speak long enough, he will get believers.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, The Master of Ballantrae
Most of our pocket wisdom is conceived for the use of mediocre people, to discourage them from ambitious attempts, and generally console them in their mediocrity. And since mediocre people constitute the bulk of humanity, this is no doubt very properly so.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, Virginibus Puerisque and Other Papers
If your morals make you dreary, depend upon it they are wrong. I do not say "give them up," for they may be all you have; but conceal them like a vice, lest they should spoil the lives of better and simpler people.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, Across the Plains
Wine is bottled poetry.
