Quote

My curiosity to see the melancholy spectacle of the executions was so strong that I could not resist it, although I was sensible that I would suffer much from it.... I got upon a scaffold near the fatal tree so that I could clearly see all the dismal scene.... I was most terribly shocked, and thrown into a very deep melancholy.

James Boswell

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James Boswell
Age: 54 †
Born: 1740
Born: October 18
Died: 1795
Died: May 19
Biographer
Diarist
Lawyer
Writer
Edinburgh
Scotland
James Boswell I
James
I Boswell
Strong
Suffer
Shocked
Death
Clearly
Execution
Much
Although
Melancholy
Scaffold
Would
Scene
Resist
Executions
Deep
Sensible
Dismal
Tree
Thrown
Spectacle
Suffering
Near
Fatal
Upon
Curiosity
Terribly

More quotes by James Boswell

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When we know exactly all a man's views and how he comes to speak and act so and so, we lose any respect for him, though we may love and admire him.
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Dr Johnson said, the inscription should have been in Latin, as every thing intended to be universal and permanent, should be.
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Dr. Johnson ... sometimes employed himself in chymistry, sometimes in watering and pruning a vine, and sometimes in small experiments, at which those who may smile, should recollect that there are moments which admit of being soothed only by trifles.
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Those who would extirpate evil from the world know little of human nature. As well might punch be palatable without souring as existence agreeable without care.
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I am so fond of tea that I could write a whole dissertation on its virtues. It comforts and enlivens without the risks attendant on spirituous liquors. Gentle herb! Let the florid grape yield to thee. Thy soft influence is a more safe inspirer of social joy.
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As all who come into the country must obey the King, so all who come into an university must be of the Church.
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The scent of Sloth tempts a smug man.
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My wife, who does not like journalizing, said it was leaving myself embowelled to posterity--a good strong figure. But I think itis rather leaving myself embalmed. It is certainly preserving myself.
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A woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinter legs. It is not done well but you are surprised to see it done at all.
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A Sceptick therefore, who because he finds that Truths are not universally received, doubts of their existence, is just as foolish as a man who should try large shoes upon little feet, and little shoes upon large feet, and finding that they did not fit.
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I argued that the chastity of women was of much more consequence than that of men, as the property and rights of families depend upon it.
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My father had declared a predilection for heirs general, that is, males and females indiscriminately.... I, on the other hand, had a zealous partiality for heirs male, however remote.
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The man who stops making new friends eventually will have none.
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If a man is prodigal, he cannot be truly generous.
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Quotation is more universal and more ancient than one would perhaps believe.
James Boswell
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Have a sense of piety ever on your mind, and be ever mindful that this is subject to no change, but will last you as long as life and support you in death. Elevate your soul by prayer and by contemplation without mystical enthusiasm.
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What a curious creature is man with what a variety of powers and faculties is he endued yet how easily is he disturbed and put out of order.
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If a man who is born to a fortune cannot make himself easier and freer than those who are not, he gains nothing.
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But what can a man see of a library being one day in it?
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When a man is familiar with many people he must expect many disagreeable familiarizations.
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