The applause of a single human being is of great consequence. Samuel Johnson More Quotes by Samuel Johnson More Quotes From Samuel Johnson In solitude we have our dreams to ourselves, and in company we agree to dream in concert. Samuel Johnson dream philosophy art If pleasure was not followed by pain, who would forbear it? Samuel Johnson pleasure pain ifs Repentance, however difficult to be practiced, is, if it be explained without superstition, easily understood. Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice from the conviction that it has offended God. Samuel Johnson conviction superstitions practice Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment. Samuel Johnson progress want desire Advice, as it always gives a temporary appearance of superiority, can never be very grateful, even when it is most necessary or most judicious; but, for the same reason, every one is eager to instruct his neighbors. Samuel Johnson grateful advice giving Politics are now nothing more than means of rising in the world. Samuel Johnson rising liberty mean Such is the uncertainty of human affairs, that security and despair are equal follies; and as it is presumption and arrogance to anticipate triumphs, it is weakness and cowardice to prog-nosticate miscarriages. Samuel Johnson miscarriage despair arrogance Affectation is to be always distinguished from hypocrisy as being the art of counterfeiting those qualities, which we might with innocence and safety, be known to want. Hypocrisy is the necessary burden of villainy; affectation part of the chosen trappings of folly. Samuel Johnson safety hypocrisy art Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. Samuel Johnson learning teaching inspirational There is no book so poor that it would not be a prodigy if wholly made by a single man. Samuel Johnson poor men book Melancholy, indeed, should be diverted by every means but drinking. Samuel Johnson alcohol drinking mean Much is due to those who first broke the way to knowledge, and left only to their successors the task of smoothing it. Samuel Johnson tasks way knowledge Plenty is the original cause of many of our needs; and even the poverty, which is so frequent and distressful in civilized nations, proceeds often from that change of manners which opulence has produced. Nature makes us poor only when we want necessaries; but custom gives the name of poverty to the want of superfluities. Samuel Johnson names giving needs It is more reasonable to wish for reputation while it may be enjoyed, as Anacreon calls upon his companions to give him for present use the wine and garlands which they propose to bestow upon his tomb. Samuel Johnson wine wish giving The supreme end of education is expert discernment in all things-the power to tell the good from the bad, the genuine from the counterfeit, and to prefer the good and the genuine to the bad and the counterfeit. Samuel Johnson teaching education graduation I am far from any intention to limit curiosity, or confine the labours of learning to arts of immediate and necessary use. It is only from the various essays of experimental industry, and the vague excursions of mind set upon discovery, that any advancement of knowledge can be expected; and though many must be disappointed in their labours, yet they are not to be charged with having spent their time in vain; their example contributed to inspire emulation, and their miscarriage taught others the way to success. Samuel Johnson miscarriage necessary-use art Pride is a vice, which pride itself inclines every man to find in others, and to overlook in himself Samuel Johnson vices pride men This man [Chesterfield], I thought, had been a Lord among wits; but I find he is only a wit among Lords. Samuel Johnson wit lord men Nothing can be truly great which is not right. Samuel Johnson fairness Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal; and he may be properly charged with evil who refused to learn how he might prevent it. Samuel Johnson criminals ignorance evil
