A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other. Samuel Johnson More Quotes by Samuel Johnson More Quotes From Samuel Johnson The vicious count their years; virtuous, their acts. Samuel Johnson making-a-difference charity years Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. Those that walk with vigor, three hours a day, will pass in seven years a space equal to the circumference of the globe. Samuel Johnson perseverance space years The joy of life is variety; the tenderest love requires to be rekindled by intervals of absence. Samuel Johnson diversity life-is joy Abuse is often of service. There is nothing so dangerous to an author as silence. Samuel Johnson abuse silence writing It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it be struck at one end of the room, it will soon fall to the ground. To keep it up, it must be struck at both ends. Samuel Johnson writing book fall Deviation from Nature is deviation from happiness. Samuel Johnson deviation climate-change nature I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations. Samuel Johnson tongue communication sorry The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality. Samuel Johnson imagination reality travel I am a hardened and shameless tea drinker, who has, for twenty years, diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant; whose kettle has scarcely time to cool; who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and, with tea, welcomes the morning. Samuel Johnson tea-drinking food morning Music is the only sensual pleasure without vice. Samuel Johnson musical vices sensual Modern writers are the moons of literature; they shine with reflected light, with light borrowed from the ancients. Samuel Johnson light moon book A generous and elevated mind is distinguished by nothing more certainly than an eminent degree of curiosity. Samuel Johnson degrees curiosity mind Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements. Samuel Johnson perseverance effort writing When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints, but exert your whole care to hide it; by endeavouring to hide it; you will dry it away. Be always busy. Samuel Johnson fit mind complaining Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation. Samuel Johnson age complaining men Such are the vicissitudes of the world, through all its parts, that day and night, labor and rest, hurry and retirement, endear each other; such are the changes that keep the mind in action: we desire, we pursue, we obtain, we are satiated; we desire something else and begin a new pursuit. Samuel Johnson change retirement night Solitude is the surest nurse of all prurient passions, and a girl in the hurry of preparation, or tumult of gaiety, has neither inclination nor leisure to let tender expressions soften or sink into her heart. The ball, the show, are not the dangerous places: no, 'tis the private friend, the kind consoler, the companion of the easy vacant hour, whose compliance with her opinions can flatter her vanity, and whose conversation can sooth, without ever stretching her mind, that is the lover to be feared: he who buzzes in her ear at court, or at the opera, must be contented to buzz in vain. Samuel Johnson passion girl heart I have always said the first Whig was the Devil. Samuel Johnson devil politics firsts He that outlives a wife whom he has long loved, sees himself disjoined from the only mind that has the same hopes, and fears, and interest; from the only companion with whom he has shared much good and evil; and with whom he could set his mind at liberty, to retrace the past or anticipate the future. The continuity of being is lacerated; the settled course of sentiment and action is stopped; and life stands suspended and motionless. Samuel Johnson love long past In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it; for no species of falsehood is more frequent than flattery, to which the coward is betrayed by fear, the dependent by interest, and the friend by tenderness: those who are neither servile nor timorous are yet desirous to bestow pleasure; and, while unjust demands of praise continue to be made, there will always be some whom hope, fear, or kindness will dispose to pay them. Samuel Johnson kindness men order
