Quote

To be flattered is grateful, even when we know that our praises are not believed by those who pronounce them for they prove, at least, our power, and show that our favour is valued, since it is purchased by the meanness of falsehood.

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
Since
Favour
Show
Flattery
Shows
Falsehood
Purchased
Power
Believed
Pronounce
Even
Praise
Praises
Grateful
Flattered
Prove
Meanness
Least
Valued

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No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.
Samuel Johnson
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Among the numerous stratagems by which pride endeavors to recommend folly to regard, there is scarcely one that meets with less success than affectation, or a perpetual disguise of the real character by fictitious appearances.
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The business of the biographer is often to pass slightly over those performances and incidents which produce vulgar greatness, to lead the thoughts into domestic privacies, and display the minute details of daily life, were exterior appendages are cast aside, and men excel each other only by prudence and virtue.
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He was dull in a new way, and that made many think him great.
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Life protracted is protracted woe.
Samuel Johnson
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Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favour.
Samuel Johnson
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Patron: One who countenances, supports or protects. Commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is repaid in flattery.
Samuel Johnson
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The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.
Samuel Johnson
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Memory is like all other human powers, with which no man can be satisfied who measures them by what he can conceive, or by what he can desire.
Samuel Johnson
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In general those parents have the most reverence who most deserve it for he that lives well cannot be despised.
Samuel Johnson
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Every man that has felt pain knows how little all other comforts can gladden him to whom health is denied. Yet who is there does not sometimes hazard it for the enjoyment of an hour?
Samuel Johnson
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To purchase Heaven has gold the power? Can gold remove the mortal hour? In life can love be bought with gold? Are friendship's pleasures to be sold? No--all that's worth a wish--a thought, Fair virtue gives unbribed, unbought. Cease then on trash thy hopes to bind, Let nobler views engage thy mind.
Samuel Johnson
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Power is not sufficient evidence of truth.
Samuel Johnson
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Few things are so liberally bestowed, or squandered with so little effect, as good advice.
Samuel Johnson
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Men are like stone jugs - you may lug them where you like by the ears.
Samuel Johnson
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When a man feel the reprehension of a friend seconded by his own heart, he is easily heated into resentment.
Samuel Johnson
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Every desire is a viper in the bosom, who while he was chill was harmless but when warmth gave him strength, exerted it in poison.
Samuel Johnson
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As he that lives longest lives but a little while, every man may be certain that he has no time to waste. The duties of life are commensurate to its duration and every day brings its task, which, if neglected, is doubled on the morrow.
Samuel Johnson
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There is no idleness, by which we are so easily seduced, as that which dignifies itself by the appearance of business, and by making the loiterer imagine that he has something to do which must not be neglected, keeps him in perpetual agitation, and hurries him rapidly from place to place.
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Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own.
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