Quote Search

The mark of a good action is that it appears inevitable in retrospect.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from the domination of outward conditions.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

Talk is by far the most accessible of pleasures. It costs nothing in money, it is all profit, it completes our education, founds and fosters our friendships, and can be enjoyed at any age and in almost any state of health.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

Every heart that has beat strongly and cheerfully has left a hopeful impulse behind it in the world, and bettered the tradition of mankind.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labor.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

That a man is successful who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much, who has gained the respect of the intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

These are my politics: to change what we can; to better what we can; but still to bear in mind that man is but a devil weakly fettered by some generous beliefs and impositions; and for no word however sounding, and no cause however just and pious, to relax the stricture on these bonds.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see. He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head; And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

It is not likely that posterity will fall in love with us, but not impossible that it may respect or sympathize; so a man would rather leave behind him the portrait of his spirit than a portrait of his face.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

Everybody, soon or late, sits down to a banquet of consequences.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

It is a golden maxim to cultivate the garden for the nose, and the eyes will take care of themselves.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened, but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock in a thunderstorm.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until, nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all that life really means.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

To be idle requires a strong sense of personal identity.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

The world is so full of a number of things; I am sure we should all be as happy as kings.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

Even if the doctor does not give you a year, even if he hesitates about a month, make one brave push and see what can be accomplished in a week.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson

To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.

—  Robert Louis Stevenson