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I am sensible that my keenness of temper, and a vanity to be distinguished for the day, make me too often splash in life.... I amresolved to restrain myself and attend more to decorum.

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
Vanity
Splash
Ambition
Decorum
Often
Restrain
Make
Attend
Life
Distinguished
Temper
Sensible
Manners
Keenness

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If a man is prodigal, he cannot be truly generous.
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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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When a man is familiar with many people he must expect many disagreeable familiarizations.
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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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What an insignificant life is this which I am now leading!
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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.
James Boswell
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No, Sir, claret is the liquor for boys port for men: but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy. In the first place brandy will do soonest for a man what drinking can do for him.
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Quotation is more universal and more ancient than one would perhaps believe.
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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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I have seen many a bear led by a man: but I never before saw a man led by a bear.
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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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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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But what can a man see of a library being one day in it?
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We must take our friends as they are.
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He had no settled plan of life, nor looked forward at all, but merely lived from day to day. Yet he read a great deal in a desultory manner, without any scheme of study, as chance threw books in his way, and inclination directed him through them.
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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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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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After I went to bed I had a curious fancy as to dreams. In sleep the doors of the mind are shut, and thoughts come jumping in at the windows. They tumble headlong, and therefore are so disorderly and strange. Sometimes they are stout and light on their feet, and then they are rational dreams.
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The man who stops making new friends eventually will have none.
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The scent of Sloth tempts a smug man.
James Boswell