Quote

He to whom many objects of pursuit arise at the same time, will frequently hesitate between different desires till a rival has precluded him, or change his course as new attractions prevail, and harass himself without advancing.

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
Time
Focus
Rivals
Courses
Frequently
Precluded
Course
Attraction
Harass
Desire
Desires
Attractions
Change
Arise
Rival
Without
Till
Hesitate
Many
Pursuit
Advancing
Different
Objects
Prevail

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Attack is the reaction. I never think I have hit hard unless it rebounds.
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No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance, or to extinguish the desire of fond endearments and tender officiousness and, therefore, no one should think it unnecessary to learn those arts by which friendship may be gained.
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A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.
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I have already enjoyed too much give me something to desire.
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Silence propagates itself, and the longer talk has been suspended, the more difficult it is to find anything to say.
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Turn on the prudent Ant, thy heedful eyes, Observe her labours, Sluggard, and be wise.
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The fountain of contentment must spring up in the mind.
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Pleasure that is obtained by unreasonable and unsuitable cost must always end in pain.
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How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?
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He that never labors may know the pains of idleness, but not the pleasures.
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The roads of science are narrow, so that they who travel them, must wither follow or meet one another.
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Critics, like the rest of mankind, are very frequently misled by interest.
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All envy is proportionate to desire we are uneasy at the attainments of another, according as we think our own happiness would be advanced by the addition of that which he withholds from us.
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In a Man's Letters you know, Madam, his soul lies naked, his letters are only the mirrour of his breast.
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The hopes of zeal are not wholly groundless.
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