“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

“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

“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