"In all secrets there is a kind of guilt, however beautiful or joyful they may be, or for what good end they may be set to serve. Secrecy means evasion, and evasion means a problem to the moral mind."

"There is no refuge from memory and remorse in this world. The spirits of our foolish deeds haunt us, with or without repentance."

"There's no credit in not doing what you don't want to do. There's no virtue in not falling, when you're not tempted."

"Man is born in a day, and he dies in a day, and the thing is easily over; but to have a sick heart for three-fourths of one's lifetime is simply to have death renewed every morning; and life at that price is not worth living."

"Scotsmen are metaphisical and emotional, they are sceptical and mystical, they are romantic and ironic, they are cruel and tender, and full of mirth and despair."

"Breathe deeply, anchor your attention in this breath, and let the storm pass."

"You're an actor first and foremost. No one is going to hire you because you tweet a lot."

"It is a unyielding truth that the spark of ambition becomes a blaze of accomplishment only through disciplined persistence."