Contemporary Quote by Walter Scott
“What is a diary as a rule? A document useful to the person who keeps it. Dull to the contemporary who reads it and invaluable to the student, centuries afterwards, who treasures it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Antiquary by Walter Scott, 1816
A diary serves its writer, may bore others now, but becomes priceless for future scholars.
In simple terms: Diaries help the writer, can be dull now, but valuable later.
Write for yourself, knowing future value.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal journaling
- academic research
- historical study
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How might you make your diary useful for future readers?
- What value do you hope your diary will hold?
Future readers may misinterpret context without proper notes.