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Sir, as a man advances in life, he gets what is better than admiration, - judgement, to estimate things at their true value.

Samuel Johnson

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Samuel Johnson
Age: 75 †
Born: 1709
Born: September 18
Died: 1784
Died: December 13
Biographer
Bookseller
Essayist
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Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Poet
Politician
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Lichfield
Staffordshire
Dr Johnson
Dr. Johnson
Great Moralist
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True
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Things
Judgement
Men
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Life
Value

More quotes by Samuel Johnson

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An author places himself uncalled before the tribunal of criticism and solicits fame at the hazard of disgrace.
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It is a most mortifying reflection for a man to consider what he has done, compared to what he might have done.
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All is not gold that glitters, as we have often been told and the adage is verified in your place and my favour but if what happens does not make us richer, we must bid it welcome, if it makes us wiser.
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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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Words too familiar, or too remote, defeat the purpose of a poet.
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He who praises everybody, praises nobody.
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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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A continual feast of commendation is only to be obtained by merit or by wealth: many are therefore obliged to content themselves with single morsels, and recompense the infrequency of their enjoyment by excess and riot, whenever fortune sets the banquet before them.
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When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.
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The trade of advertising is now so near to perfection that it is not easy to propose any improvement. But as every art ought to be exercized in due subordination to the public good, I cannot but propose it as a moral question to these masters of the public ear, whether they do not sometimes play too wantonly with our passions.
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From thee, great God, we spring, to thee we tend,- Path, motive, guide, original, and end.
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In the bottle discontent seeks for comfort, cowardice for courage, and bashfulness for confidence.
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What I gained by being in France was learning to be better satisfied with my own country.
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Labor's face is wrinkled with the wind, and swarthy with the sun.
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Shakespeare never had more than 6 lines together without a fault.
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All imposture weakens confidence and chills benevolence.
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The maxim of Cleobulus, Mediocrity is best, has been long considered a universal principle, extending through the whole compass of life and nature. The experience of every age seems to have given it new confirmation, and to show that nothing, however specious or alluring, is pursued with propriety or enjoyed with safety beyond certain limits.
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No government power can be abused long. Mankind will not bear it.... There is a remedy in human nature against tyranny, that will keep us safe under every form of government.
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The really happy woman is the one who can enjoy the scenery when she has to take a detour. Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but rather a manner of traveling.
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Conjecture as to things useful, is good but conjecture as to what it would be useless to know, is very idle.
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