All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle. Samuel Johnson More Quotes by Samuel Johnson More Quotes From Samuel Johnson Those who will not take the trouble to think for themselves, have always somebody that thinks for them; and the difficulty in writing is to please those from whom others learn to be pleased. Samuel Johnson troublewritingthinking Many leave the labours of half their life to their executors and to chance, because they will not send them abroad unfinished, and are unable to finish them, having prescribed to themselves such a degree of exactness as human diligence can scarcely ontain. Samuel Johnson degreeshalfwriting If an author be supposed to involve his thoughts in voluntary obscurity, and to obstruct, by unnecessary difficulties, a mind eager in the pursuit of truth; if he writes not to make others learned, but to boast the learning which he possesses himself, and wishes to be admired rather than understood, he counteracts the first end of writing, and justly suffers the utmost severity of censure, or the more afflicting severity of neglect. Samuel Johnson sufferingmindwriting Few of those who fill the world with books, have any pretensions to the hope either of pleasing or instructing. They have often no other task than to lay two books before them, out of which they compile a third, without any new material of their own, and with very little application of judgment to those which former authors have supplied. Samuel Johnson writingtwobook Truth, like beauty, varies its fashions, and is best recommended by different dresses to different minds; and he that recalls the attention of mankind to any part of learning which time has left behind it, may be truly said to advance the literatures of his own age. As the manners of nations vary, new topicks of persuasion become necessary, and new combinations of imagery are produced; and he that can accommodate himself to the reigning taste, may always have readers who perhaps would not have looked upon better performances. Samuel Johnson fashionmindwriting The authors that in any nation last from age to age are very few, because there are very few that have any other claim to notice than that they catch hold on present curiosity, and gratify some accidental desire, or produce some temporary conveniency. Samuel Johnson curiosityagewriting There are three distinct kind of judges upon all new authors or productions; the first are those who know no rules, but pronounce entirely from their natural taste and feelings; the second are those who know and judge by rules; and the third are those who know, but are above the rules. These last are those you should wish to satisfy. Next to them rate the natural judges; but ever despise those opinions that are formed by the rules. Samuel Johnson judgingfeelingswriting Never speak of a man in his own presence. It is always indelicate, and may be offensive . Samuel Johnson offensivemaymen If the man who turnips cries, Cry not when his father dies, 'Tis proof that he had rather Have a turnip than his father. Samuel Johnson tearsmenfather Life is short. The sooner that a man begins to enjoy his wealth the better. Samuel Johnson wealthlife-is-shortmen Languages are the pedigree of nations. Samuel Johnson pedigreenationslanguage The insolence of wealth will creep out. Samuel Johnson creepswealthdisrespect No man is without some quality, by the due application of which he might deserve well of the world; and whoever he be that has but little in his power should be in haste to do that little, lest he be confounded with him that can do nothing. Samuel Johnson qualitymenworld By forbearing to do what may innocently be done, we may add hourly new vigor to resolution. Samuel Johnson vigordoneadd If in an actor there appears an utter vacancy of meaning, a frigid equality, a stupid languor, a torpid apathy, the greatest kindness that can be shown him is a speedy sentence of expulsion. Samuel Johnson apathystupidkindness Admiration must be continued by that novelty which first produces it; and how much soever is given, there must always be reason to imagine that more remains. Samuel Johnson admirationnoveltyfirsts Advice is offensive, it shows us that we are known to others as well as to ourselves. Samuel Johnson offensiveshowsadvice It was the maxim, I think, of Alphonsus of Aragon, that dead counsellors are safest. The grave puts an end to flattery and artifice, and the information we receive from books is pure from interest, fear, and ambition. Dead counsellors are likewise most instructive, because they are heard with patience and with reverence. Samuel Johnson ambitionbookthinking Vanity is so frequently the apparent motive of advice, that we, for the most part, summon our powers to oppose it without any very accurate inquiry whether it is right. Samuel Johnson inquiryvanityadvice Affectation naturally counterfeits those excellences which are placed at the greatest distance from possibility of attainment, because, knowing our own defects, we eagerly endeavor to supply them with artificial excellence. Samuel Johnson distanceexcellenceknowing
