A. Johnson
A. Johnson
responsibility men vices
Though the wisdom or virtue of one can very rarely make many happy, the folly or vice of one man often make many miserable.
littles feels sensibility
Nothing is little to him that feels it with great sensibility.
scotland doe scotsmen
A Scotchman must be a very sturdy moralist who does not love Scotland better than truth.
rise-above eminence superiority
Whoever rises above those who once pleased themselves with equality, will have many malevolent gazers at his eminence.
society owing opinion
In civilized society we all depend upon each other, and our happiness is very much owing to the good opinion of mankind.
humorous exotic opera
An exotic and irrational entertainment.
trust poet trusted
Was ever poet so trusted before?
language english-language englishmen
An Englishman is content to say nothing when he has nothing to say.
weather two firsts
When two Eglishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather.
knowledge reality ideas
It is true that of far the greater part of things, we must content ourselves with such knowledge as description may exhibit, or analogy supply; but it is true likewise, that these ideas are always incomplete, and that at least, till we have compared them with realities, we do not know them to be just. As we see more, we become possessed of more certainties, and consequently gain more principles of reasoning, and found a wider base of analogy.
retirement knowledge may
Other things may be seized by might, or purchased with money, but knowledge is to be gained only by study, and study to be prosecuted only in retirement.
knowledge views curiosity
The specualtist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity; and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows less.
knowledge mean mind
To understand the works of celebrated authors, to comprehend their systems, and retain their reasonings, is a task more than equal to common intellects; and he is by no means to be accounted useless or idle, who has stored his mind with acquired knowledge, and can detail it occasionally to others who have less leisure or weaker abilities.
knowledge men wife
All knowledge is of itself of some value. There is nothing so minute or inconsiderable, that I would not rather know it than not. In the same manner, all power, of whatever sort, is of itself desirable. A man would not submit to learn to hem a ruffle, of his wife, or his wife's maid; but if a mere wish could attain it, he would rather wish to be able to hem a ruffle.