Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784)
British author, linguist and lexicographer.
That man is little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Iona.
It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.
Unmoved though Witlings sneer and Rivals rail,
Studious to please, yet not ashamed to fail.
He scorns the meek address, the suppliant strain.
With merit needless, and without it vain.
In Reason, Nature, Truth, he dares to trust:
Ye Fops, be silent: and ye Wits, be just.
It might as well be said, "Who drives fat oxen should himself be fat."
OATS — A grain which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.
Johnson observed, that "he did not care to speak ill of any man behind his back, but he believed the gentleman was an attorney."
The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.
From Thee, great God: we spring, to Thee we tend,
Path, motive, guide, original, and end.
All theory is against the freedom of the will; all experience for it.
The insolence of wealth will creep out.
Round numbers are always false.
A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
I will be conquered; I will not capitulate.
Every man naturally persuades himself that he can keep his resolutions, nor is he convinced of his imbecility but by length of time and frequency of experiment.
An age that melts in unperceiv'd decay,
And glides in modest innocence away.
Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought. Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks. The flowers which scatter their odours from time to time in the paths of life, grow up without culture from seeds scattered by chance.
Come, let me know what it is that makes a Scotchman happy!
Abstinence is as easy to me as temperance would be difficult.
A cucumber should be well sliced, and dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing.