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That observation which is called knowledge of the world will be found much more frequently to make men cunning than good.

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
Much
Make
Good
Cunning
Men
Frequently
World
Observation
Called
Knowledge
Found

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Those who have no power to judge of past times but by their own, should always doubt their conclusions
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Adversity leads us to think properly of our state, and so is most beneficial to us.
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A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it.
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Merit rather enforces respect than attracts fondness.
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The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside
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No man tells his opinion so freely as when he imagines it received with implicit veneration.
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Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those who we cannot resemble.
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Learn the leading precognita of all things-no need to turn over leaf by leaf, but grasp the trunk hard and you will shake all the branches. Advice cherished by Samuel Johnson that that, if one is to master any subject, one must first discover its general principles.
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A man is not obliged honestly to answer a question which should not properly be put.
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To have the management of the mind is a great art, and it may be attained in a considerable degree by experience and habitual exercise.
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Riches, perhaps, do not so often produce crimes as incite accusers.
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It is better a man should be abused than forgotten.
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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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We must consider how very little history there is--I mean real, authentic history. That certain kings reigned and certain battles were fought, we can depend upon as true but all the coloring, all the philosophy, of history is conjecture.
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We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.
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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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