“Tis none of the least of my Diversions to see one Part of the World laughing at the other, yet all seem fully satisfied with their own Opinions and Abilities; but I shall never quarrel with any Man whose Temper is the reverse of mine.” On the folly of judging others for differing tastes and the value of tolerance · Preface to Poems, 1721 Humour Opinion Tolerance
“I have naturally an Itch of Rhiming, which I gratify, sometimes for my own Satisfaction, and the Diversion of a few Intimates.” On the irresistible impulse to write verse for pleasure · Advertisement to The Battel, 1716 Creativity Pleasure Poetry
“I e'en gave over in good time, before the coolness of fancy that attends advanced years, should make me risk the reputation I had acquired.” On wisely ceasing to write poetry in later life to preserve one's fame · Letter to John Smibert, May 1736 Age Poetry Reputation
“Pursue your own natural Manner, and be an original.” Urging authenticity and originality over imitation · Preface to Poems, 1721 (reporting advice of friends that he endorses) Authenticity Originality Poetry
“There is nothing can be heard more silly than one's expressing his Ignorance of his native Language; yet such there are, who can vaunt of acquiring a tolerable Perfection in the French or Italian Tongues, if they have been a Forthnight in Paris or a Month in Rome: But shew them the most elegant Thoughts in a Scots Dress, they as disdainfully as stupidly condemn it as barbarous.” Rebuking affectation and the neglect of one's own tongue · Preface to The Ever Green, 1724 Ignorance Language Scotland
“The Pronunciation is liquid and sonorous, and much fuller than the English, of which we are Masters, by being taught it in our Schools, and daily-reading it; which being added to all our own native Words, of eminent Significancy, makes our Tongue by far the completest: For Instance, I can say, an empty House, a toom Barrel, a boss Head, and a hollow Heart.” Celebrating the richness and expressiveness of the Scots tongue · Preface to Poems, 1721 Language Scotland Words
“That I have expressed my Thought in my native Dialect, was not only my Inclination, but the Desire of my best and wisest Friends; and most reasonable, since good Imagery, just Similes, and all Manner of ingenious Thoughts, in a well laid Design, disposed into Numbers, is Poetry. Then good Poetry may be in any Language.” Defending the use of Scots as fully capable of genuine poetry · Preface to Poems, 1721 Language Poetry Scotland
