--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If there is writing on Hadrian's Wall, it…" description: "\"If there is writing on Hadrian's Wall, it reads that the English should leave Scotland to its own devices.\" — Simon Heffer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/simon-heffer-45158_devices_if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it_1849667.png" --- # If there is writing on Hadrian's Wall, it reads that the… ![“If there is writing on Hadrian's Wall, it reads that the English should leave Scotland to its own devices.” quote by Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/simon-heffer-45158_devices_if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it_1849667.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/simon-heffer-45158_devices_if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it_1849667.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/simon-heffer-45158_devices_if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it_1849667.png) > “If there is writing on Hadrian's Wall, it reads that the English should leave Scotland to its own devices.” [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Historical markers suggest political boundaries should respect cultural realities, not imposed divisions. **In simple terms:** Borders should reflect cultural realities. Key Takeaway Respect local autonomy. Themes politics history nationalism Mood analytical inquisitive Type political historical When to use this quote - policy making - regional negotiations - education curricula Key Concepts selfignty cultural identity Questions to Reflect On - How should modern borders be drawn? - What role do historical sites play in identity? A Different Perspective Historical claims may be contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Devices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devices/) [Hadrian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hadrian/) [Hadrian Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hadrian-wall-2418182/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Leave Scotland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leave-scotland-2089882/) [Scotland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scotland/) [Scotland Devices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scotland-devices-2418183/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Hadrian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-hadrian-2418181/) ## Related quotes > [I am one of the many Scots who has had to leave Scotland in order to find employment so I in no way feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-macfadyen/i-am-one-of-the-many-scots-who-has-had-to-leave-scotland-in-order-to/) [Angus Macfadyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-macfadyen/) > [If the Scottish want to break away, I shall stand on Hadrian's Wall with a teary handkerchief, and say: 'Good riddance to the lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-clarkson/if-the-scottish-want-to-break-away-i-shall-stand-on-hadrian-s-wall/) [Jeremy Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-clarkson/) > [Roman history was kind of unavoidable where I was growing up. It was everywhere - all the place names and ruins and forts. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-marshall/roman-history-was-kind-of-unavoidable-where-i-was-growing-up-it-was/) [Neil Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-marshall/) > [My dad's a history buff, and I spent a lot of time on Hadrian's Wall. I became fascinated by the idea of what was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-marshall/my-dad-s-a-history-buff-and-i-spent-a-lot-of-time-on-hadrian-s-wall-i/) [Neil Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-marshall/) > [When filming for 'Beowulf,' we were close to Hadrian's Wall; there was no phone signal, and the scenery was spectacular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harewood/when-filming-for-beowulf-we-were-close-to-hadrian-s-wall-there-was-no/) [David Harewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harewood/) > [“...Aldersgate Street, the bottom of the A1 - which was the modern designation of the original Great North Road, built by the Romans two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-f-hamilton/aldersgate-street-the-bottom-of-the-a1-which-was-the-modern/) [Peter F. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-f-hamilton/) > [“All I could think was that the border was a clever idea. It might as well have been Hadrian's Wall, but they had taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-pulley/all-i-could-think-was-that-the-border-was-a-clever-idea-it-might-as/) [Natasha Pulley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-pulley/) > [I grew up in the north of England, in New Castle, which is where Hadrian's Wall starts on the east coast of England and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-w-s-anderson/i-grew-up-in-the-north-of-england-in-new-castle-which-is-where/) [Paul W. S. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-w-s-anderson/) > [You don’t win battles with hate. Anger and hate can make you brave, make you strong, but they also make you stupid. You end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-don-t-win-battles-with-hate-anger-and-hate-can-make-you-brave/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-image-of-a-free-constitution-was-preserved-with-decent-reverence/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“After catching an arrow in the back and passing out in Tom the Feather’s barnyard, Hadrian had woken up on a comfortable bed surrounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/after-catching-an-arrow-in-the-back-and-passing-out-in-tom-the/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“There are twelve tasks to complete, when you step through this door,” Hadrian replied, his tone jittery. It was clear he had no love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/there-are-twelve-tasks-to-complete-when-you-step-through-this-door/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [Hadrian leapt to his feet. Royce was already up. “Don’t bother,” Esrahaddon told them. “She’s dead, and there’s nothing you can do. The monster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/hadrian-leapt-to-his-feet-royce-was-already-up-don-t-bother/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [Another last-minute, good-deed job,” Royce grumbled as he stuffed supplies into his saddlebag. “True,” Hadrian said, slinging his sword belt over his shoulder, “but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/another-last-minute-good-deed-job-royce-grumbled-as-he-stuffed/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) > [“You're not going to charge us for the tower, I hope," Hadrian said. "But if you are, it was Royce's fault and should come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-sullivan/you-re-not-going-to-charge-us-for-the-tower-i-hope-hadrian-said-but/) [Michael J. Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-sullivan/) ## More by Simon Heffer > [In England, even the poorest of people believe that they have rights; that is very different from what satisfies the poor in other lands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/in-england-even-the-poorest-of-people-believe-that-they-have-rights/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) > [The more a climate can be created in which neither the English nor the Scots are given cause to resent each other, the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/the-more-a-climate-can-be-created-in-which-neither-the-english-nor/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) > [Political genius consists in identifying oneself with a principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/political-genius-consists-in-identifying-oneself-with-a-principle/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) > [Football is not, in my view, a sport: it is somewhere between a business racket and a mental illness. I associate it with all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/football-is-not-in-my-view-a-sport-it-is-somewhere-between-a-business/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) > [The IRA sending a message of sympathy to America is like Jack the Ripper giving us a lesson in the sanctity of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/the-ira-sending-a-message-of-sympathy-to-america-is-like-jack-the/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) > [This is, in theory, still a free country, but our politically correct, censorious times are such that many of us tremble to give vent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/this-is-in-theory-still-a-free-country-but-our-politically-correct/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) > [Of the 664 men who rode into the Valley of Death about 540 eventually got out of it again. By far the highest casualty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/of-the-664-men-who-rode-into-the-valley-of-death-about-540-eventually/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) > [Those Victorians: endlessly fascinating, broad in their learning, heroic in their achievements, in parts completely mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/those-victorians-endlessly-fascinating-broad-in-their-learning-heroic/) [Simon Heffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) [Explore all 9 Simon Heffer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/) ## More Devices quotes > [The market may never coalesce around one basic design, or even around two or three dominant devices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/the-market-may-never-coalesce-around-one-basic-design-or-even-around/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Televisions are devices with screens that things appear on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/televisions-are-devices-with-screens-that-things-appear-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [If, as I anticipate, a wide array of personal, portable information/communication devices becomes increasingly important and widespread for information-intensive users, it will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-as-i-anticipate-a-wide-array-of-personal-portable-information/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [I would warn against holsters with devices for quick-draw. Devices always fail when you need them most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-powell/i-would-warn-against-holsters-with-devices-for-quick-draw-devices/) [William Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-powell/) > [As we go through this transition where a lot more people will be reading on devices, nobody is paying enough attention to make sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/as-we-go-through-this-transition-where-a-lot-more-people-will-be/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [In early drafts, one of the trickiest things for me to do was to realize that the techniques and devices that make readable and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-rooney/in-early-drafts-one-of-the-trickiest-things-for-me-to-do-was-to/) [Kathleen Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-rooney/) > [We are beginning to see intimations of this in the implantation of computer devices into the human body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/we-are-beginning-to-see-intimations-of-this-in-the-implantation-of/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) > [Truth is, people like buying things for $0.99 and $1.99 for their digital devices. We know that from iTunes. We know that from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lee/truth-is-people-like-buying-things-for-0-99-and-1-99-for-their/) [Jennifer Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lee/) > [I think we're probably only about halfway through the number of revelations. I'm pretty certain there will be quite detailed stuff on other uses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-a-watson/i-think-we-re-probably-only-about-halfway-through-the-number-of/) [Tom A. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-a-watson/) > [The documentary style is an incredibly flexible and useful one. It's a wonderful tool for establishing the credibility of the version of things that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gohlke/the-documentary-style-is-an-incredibly-flexible-and-useful-one-it-s-a/) [Frank Gohlke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gohlke/) > [The sense of tragedy - according to Aristotle - comes, ironically enough, not from the protagonist's weak points but from his good qualities. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/the-sense-of-tragedy-according-to-aristotle-comes-ironically-enough/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-j-watson/all-the-problems-of-the-world-could-be-settled-easily-if-men-were/) [Thomas J. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-j-watson/) > [Prayer is not a convenient device for imposing our will upon God, or bending his will to ours, but the prescribed way of subordinating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stott/prayer-is-not-a-convenient-device-for-imposing-our-will-upon-god-or/) [John Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stott/) > [The Hope, Love & Healing necklace is the perfect embodiment of what we are trying to bring to Haiti through safe and sustainable housing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/the-hope-love-healing-necklace-is-the-perfect-embodiment-of-what-we/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/reading-is-sometimes-an-ingenious-device-for-avoiding-thought/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) [Browse all 1,075 Devices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If there is writing on Hadrian's Wall, it reads that the English should leave Scotland to its own devices.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Simon Heffer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it-reads-that-the-english/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Devices" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it-reads-that-the-english/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/simon-heffer-45158_devices_if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it_1849667.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/simon-heffer-45158_devices_if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it_1849667.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/simon-heffer-45158_devices_if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it_1849667.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If there is writing on Hadrian's Wall, it reads that the English should leave Scotland to its own devices.” — Simon Heffer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Simon Heffer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-heffer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If there is writing on Hadrian's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it-reads-that-the-english/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-heffer/if-there-is-writing-on-hadrian-s-wall-it-reads-that-the-english/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```