A. Johnson
A. Johnson
perfection people advice
The desire of advising has a very extensive prevalence; and, since advice cannot be given but to those that will hear it, a patient listener is necessary to the accommodation of all those who desire to be confirmed in the opinion of their own wisdom: a patient listener, however, is not always to be had; the present age, whatever age is present, is so vitiated and disordered, that young people are readier to talk than to attend, and good counsel is only thrown away upon those who are full of their own perfections.
wise thinking being-wise
He that never thinks can never be wise.
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.
knowledge laughing mechanic
Knowledge is more than equivalent to force. The master of mechanics laughs at strength.
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.
arrogance unhappy arrogant
To excite opposition and inflame malevolence is the unhappy privilege of courage made arrogant by consciousness of strength.
fate arrogance world
Few have abilities so much needed by the rest of the world as to be caressed on their own terms; and he that will not condescend to recommend himself by external embellishments must submit to the fate of just sentiment meanly expressed, and be ridiculed and forgotten before he is understood.
law practice rejection
All violation of established practice implies in its own nature a rejection of the common opinion, a defiance of common censure, and an appeal from general laws to private judgment: he, therefore, who differs form others without apparent advantage, ought not to be angry if his arrogance is punished with ridicule; if those whose example he superciliously overlooks, point him out to derision, and hoot him back again into the common road.
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.
wise husband infidelity
Wise married women don't trouble themselves about infidelity in their husbands.
grateful race insulting
Sir, they are a race of convicts and ought to be grateful for anything we allow them short of hanging.
pretty-woman risk driving
If I had no duties, and no reference to futurity, I would spend my life in driving briskly in a post-chaise with a pretty woman.