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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.

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
Appearance
Numerous
Regard
Recommend
Pride
Scarcely
Stratagems
Among
Meets
Stratagem
Less
Disguise
Fictitious
Success
Perpetual
Affectation
Character
Endeavor
Endeavors
Real
Folly
Appearances

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Wit is that which has been often thought, but never before was well expressed.
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Nothing is more common than for men to make partial and absurd distinctions between vices of equal enormity, and to observe some of the divine commands with great scrupulousness, while they violate others, equally important, without any concern, or the least apparent conciousness of guilt. Alas, it is only wisdom which perceives this tragedy.
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To scatter praise or blame without regard to justice is to destroy the distinction of good and evil. Many have no other test of actions than general opinion and all are so far influenced by a sense of reputation that they are often restrained by fear of reproach, and excited by hope of honour, when other principles have lost their power.
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Each person's work is always a portrait of himself.
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I am willing to love all of mankind, except an American.
Samuel Johnson
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We go from anticipation to anticipation, not from satisfaction to satisfaction.
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Turn on the prudent Ant, thy heedful eyes, Observe her labours, Sluggard, and be wise.
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Languages are the pedigree of nations.
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He left the name at which the world grew pale, To point a moral, or adorn a tale.
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Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of language.
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We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting.
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Reproof should not exhaust its power upon petty failings.
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How small of all that human hearts endure, That part which laws or kings can cause or cure! Still to ourselves in every place consigned, Our own felicity we make or find. With secret course, which no loud storms annoy, Glides the smooth current of domestic joy.
Samuel Johnson
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Attention and respect give pleasure, however late, or however useless. But they are not useless, when they are late, it is reasonable to rejoice, as the day declines, to find that it has been spent with the approbation of mankind.
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Nature has given women so much power that the law has very wisely given them little.
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Economy is the parent of integrity, of liberty, and of ease, and the beauteous sister of temperance, of cheerfulness and health.
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Men become friends by a community of pleasures.
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But to the particular species of excellence men are directed, not by an ascendant planet or predominating humour, but by the first book which they read, some early conversation which they heard, or some accident which excited ardour and emulation.
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You think I love flattery (says Dr. Johnson), and so I do but a little too much always disgusts me: that fellow Richardson, on the contrary, could not be contented to sail quietly down the stream of reputation, without longing to taste the froth from every stroke of the oar.
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Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know That life protracted is protracted woe.
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