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To set the mind above the appetites is the end of abstinence, which one of the Fathers observes to be not a virtue, but the groundwork of virtue.

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
Appetite
Virtue
Ends
Mind
Observes
Groundwork
Appetites
Abstinence
Fathers

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So many objections may be made to everything, that nothing can overcome them but the necessity of doing something.
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The peculiar doctrine of Christianity is that of a universal sacrifice and perpetual propitiation.
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Pain and disease awaken us to convictions which are necessary to our moral condition.
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We owe to memory not only the increase of our knowledge, and our progress in rational inquiries, but many other intellectual pleasures
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You never find people laboring to convince you that you may live very happily upon a plentiful income.
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When making your choice in life, do not neglect to live.
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Life of Ages, richly poured, Love of God unspent and free, Flowing in the Prophet's word And the People's liberty! Never was to chosen race That unstinted tide confined Thine is every time and place, Fountain sweet of heart and mind!
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Merit rather enforces respect than attracts fondness.
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A book should teach us to enjoy life, or to endure it.
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They who most loudly clamour for liberty do not most liberally grant it.
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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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Vulgar and inactive minds confound familiarity with knowledge, and conceive themselves informed of the whole nature of things, when they are shown their form or told their use.
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Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
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Such is the constitution of Man that labor may be said to be its own re-ward.
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This merriment of parsons is mighty offensive.
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Little would be wanting to the happiness of life, if every man could conform to the right as soon as he was shown it.
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He is no wise man who will quit a certainty for an uncertainty.
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