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We are long before we are convinced that happiness is never to be found, and each believes it possessed by others, to keep alive the hope of obtaining it for himself.

Samuel Johnson

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Samuel Johnson
Age: 75 †
Born: 1709
Born: September 18
Died: 1784
Died: December 13
Biographer
Bookseller
Essayist
Lexicographer
Linguist
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Poet
Politician
Teacher
Translator
Writer
Lichfield
Staffordshire
Dr Johnson
Dr. Johnson
Great Moralist
Hope
Found
Keep
Obtaining
Others
Possessed
Long
Believes
Believe
Convinced
Never
Alive
Happiness

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There is little peace or comfort in life if we are always anxious as to future events. He that worries himself with the dread of possible contingencies will never be at rest.
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It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad.
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It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.
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A continual feast of commendation is only to be obtained by merit or by wealth: many are therefore obliged to content themselves with single morsels, and recompense the infrequency of their enjoyment by excess and riot, whenever fortune sets the banquet before them.
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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.
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It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find all the motives which they have for remaining in that connection, and the restraints which civilised society imposes to prevent separation, are hardly sufficient to keep them together.
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Learn that the present hour alone is man's.
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He who praises everybody, praises nobody.
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Fraud and falsehood only dread examination. Truth invites it.
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About things on which the public thinks long it commonly attains to think right.
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You cannot give me an instance of any man who is permitted to lay out his own time contriving not to have tedious hours.
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There is not, perhaps, to a mind well instructed, a more painful occurrence, than the death of one we have injured without reparation.
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Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense. He whom nature has made weak, and idleness keeps ignorant, may yet support his vanity by the name of a critic.
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A married man has many cares, but a bachelor no pleasures.
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He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either honesty or courage.
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When two Eglishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather.
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None of the projects or designs which exercise the mind of man are equally subject to obstructions and disappointments with the pursuit of fame.
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Nature makes us poor only when we want necessaries, but custom gives the name of poverty to the want of superfluities.
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Pope had been flattered till he thought himself one of the moving powers of the system of life. When he talked of laying down his pen, those who sat round him intreated and implored and self-love did not suffer him to suspect that they went away and laughed.
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His virtues walked their narrow round, Nor made a pause, nor left a void And sure the Eternal Master found The single talent well employed.
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