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There ambush here relentless ruffians lay, And here the fell attorney prowls for prey.

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
Law
Ruffian
Ambush
Attorney
Relentless
Prey
Fell
Lays

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Many falsehoods are passing into uncontradicted history.
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He that never labors may know the pains of idleness, but not the pleasures.
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Fraud and falsehood only dread examination. Truth invites it.
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I am always for getting a boy forward in his learning, for that is sure good. I would let him at first read any English book which happens to engage his attention because you have done a great deal when you have brought him to have entertainment from a book. He'll get better books afterwards.
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The faults of a writer of acknowledged excellence are more dangerous, because the influence of his example is more extensive and the interest of learning requires that they should be discovered and stigmatized, before they have the sanction of antiquity conferred upon them, and become precedents of indisputable authority.
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Our aspirations are our possibilities.
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A man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company
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Sorrow is the mere rust of the soul. Activity will cleanse and brighten it.
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He who is extravagant will quickly become poor and poverty will enforce dependence, and invite corruption.
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Trust as little as you can to report, and examine all you can by your own senses.
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When there is no hope, there can be no endeavor.
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Of the present state, whatever it be, we feel and are forced to confess the misery yet when the same state is again at a distance, imagination paints it as desirable.
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Nothing is more idle than to inquire after happiness, which nature has kindly placed within our reach.
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The mathematicians are well acquainted with the difference between pure science, which has only to do with ideas, and the application of its laws to the use of life, in which they are constrained to submit to the imperfections of matter and the influence of accidents.
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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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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.
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That eminence of learning is not to be gained without labour, at least equal to that which any other kind of greatness can require, will be allowed by those who wish to elevate the character of a scholar since they cannot but know that every human acquisition is valuable in proportion to the difficulty of its attainment.
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The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
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It is to be steadily inculcated, that virtue is the highest proof of understanding, and the only solid basis of greatness.
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Life admits not of delays when pleasure can be had, it is fit to catch it. Every hour takes away part of the things that please us, and perhaps part of our disposition to be pleased.
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