A. Johnson
A. Johnson
crowns half morality
The morality of an action depends on the motive from which we act. If I fling half a crown to a beggar with intention to break his head and he picks it up and buy victuals with it, the physical effect is good. But with respect to me the action is very wrong.
oxen fats should
Who drives fat oxen should himself be fat.
wise doe welcome
If what happens does not make us richer, we must welcome it if it makes us wiser.
wise men thinking
The wise man applauds he who he thinks most virtuous; the rest of the world applauds the wealthy.
money men thinking
It is wonderful to think how men of very large estates not only spend their yearly income, but are often actually in want of money. It is clear, they have not value for what they spend.
money tree fruit
Sir, he throws away his money without thought and without merit. I do not call a tree generous that sheds its fruit at every breeze.
retirement pits actors
The appearance and retirement of actors are the great events of the theatrical world; and their first performances fill the pit with conjecture and prognostication, as the first actions of a new monarch agitate nations with hope and fear.
life art novelty
Novelty is indeed necessary to preserve eagerness and alacrity; but art and nature have stores inexhaustible by human intellects, and every moment produces something new to him who has quickened his faculties by diligent observation.
sorrow together would-be
I would advise you Sir, to study algebra, if you are not already an adept in it: your head would be less muddy, and you will leave off tormenting your neighbors about paper and packthread, while we all live together in a world that is bursting with sin and sorrow.
deceit chill benevolence
All imposture weakens confidence and chills benevolence.
life worry littles
There is little peace or comfort in life if we are always anxious as to future events. He that worries himself with the dread of possible contingencies will never be at rest.
life woe states
Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know That life protracted is protracted woe.
life humble thinking
We took tea, by Boswell's desire; and I eat one bun, I think, that I might not be seen to fast ostentatiously. When I find that so much of my life has stolen unprofitably away, and that I can descry by retrospection scarcely a few single days properly and vigorously employed, why do I yet try to resolve again? I try, because reformation is necessary and despair is criminal. I try, in humble hope of the help of God.
life strong history
The truly strong and sound mind is the mind that can embrace equally great things and small.