A. Johnson
A. Johnson
perseverance determination persistence
Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.
fairness
Nothing can be truly great which is not right.
cities squares wish
Sir, if you wish to have a just notion of the magnitude of this city, you must not be satisfied with seeing its great streets and squares, but must survey the innumerable little lanes and courts. It is not in the showy evolutions of buildings, but in the multiplicity of human habitations which are crowded together, that the wonderful immensity of London consists.
envy causes misery
There is no observation more frequently made by such as employ themselves in surveying the conduct of mankind, than that marriage, though the dictate of nature, and the institution of Providence, is yet very often the cause of misery, and that those who enter into that state can seldom forbear to express their repentance, and their envy of those whom either chance or caution hath withheld from it.
translators
A translator is to be like his author; it is not his business to excel him.
writing suffering lovers
Authors and lovers always suffer some infatuation, from which only absence can set them free.
useless poet
To a poet nothing can be useless.
marriage wedding people
It is not from reason and prudence that people marry, but from inclination.
writing learning dresses
Language is the dress of thought.
doctrine censorship members
No member of society has the right to teach any doctrine contrary to what society holds to be true.
wise grateful men
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 everyone is eager to instruct his neighbours. To be wise or to be virtuous is to buy dignity and importance at a high price; but when nothing is necessary to elevation but detection of the follies or faults of others, no man is so insensible to the voice of fame as to linger on the ground.
good-and-evil evidence sufficient
Power is not sufficient evidence of truth.
life motivational achievement
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.
travel world london
By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.