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When people find a man of the most distinguished abilities as a writer their inferior while he is with them, it must be highly gratifying to them.
Topic: Ability
Source: None
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Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.
Topic: Absurdity
Source: None
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Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.
Topic: Absurdity
Source: None
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Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.
Topic: Achievement
Source: None
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The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give.
For we that live to please, must please to live.
Topic: Acting
Source: a prologue spoken by Mr. Garrick on opening Drury Lane Theatre
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Such is the state of life, that none are happy but by the anticipation of change: the change itself is nothing; when we have made it, the next wish is to change again.
Topic: Anticipation
Source: None
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Fine clothes are good only as they supply the want of other means
of procuring respect.
Topic: Apparel
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson
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The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.
Topic: Applause
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson
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I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an
understanding.
Topic: Argument
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson
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But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold,
Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.
Topic: Bribery
Source: London (l. 177)
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Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes.
Topic: Bribery
Source: Vanity of Human Wishes (l. 95)
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He who waits to do a great deal of good at once, will never do anything.
Topic: Charity
Source: None
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There are charms made only for distant admiration.
Topic: Charm
Source: None
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Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 We took tea, by Boswell's desire; and I eat one bun, I think, that I might not be seen to fast ostentatiously. When I find that so much of my life has stolen unprofitably away, and that I can descry by retrospection scarcely a few single days properly and vigorously employed, why do I yet try to resolve again? I try, because reformation is necessary and despair is criminal. I try, in humble hope of the help of God.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 Almighty and most merciful Father, by Whose providence my life has been prolonged, and Who has granted me now to begin another year of probation, vouchsafe me such assistance of Thy Holy Spirit, that the continuance of my life may not add to the measure of my guilt, but that I may so repent of the days and years passed in neglect of the duties which Thou hast set before me, in vain thoughts, in sloth, and in folly, that I may apply my heart to true wisdom, by diligence redeem the time lost, and by repentance, obtain pardon, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Easter Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast preserved me by Thy fatherly care through all the years of my past life, and now permittest me again to commemorate the sufferings and merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, grant me so to partake of this holy rite, that the disquiet of my mind may be appeased, that my faith may be increased, my hope strengthened, and my life regulated by Thy Will. Make me truly thankful for that portion of health which Thy mercy has restored, and enable me to use the remains of life to Thy glory and my own salvation. Take not from me, O Lord, Thy Holy Spirit. Extinguish in my mind all sinful and inordinate desires. Let me resolve to do that which is right, and let me by Thy help keep my resolutions. Let me, if it is best for me, at last know peace and comfort, but whatever state of life Thou shalt appoint me, let me end it by a happy death, and enjoy eternal happiness in Thy presence, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Commemoration of Petroc, Abbot of Padstow, 6th century The man who has never had religion before, no more grows religious when he is sick, than a man who has never learned figures can count when he has need of calculation.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Commemoration of Samuel Seabury, First Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796 [Dr. Johnson to a Quaker:] Oh, let us not be found, when our Master calls us, ripping the lace off our waistcoats, but the spirit of contention from our souls and tongues.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 A student may easily exhaust his life in comparing divines and moralists without any practical regard to morals and religion; he may be learning not to live but to reason... while the chief use of his volumes is unthought of, his mind is unaffected, and his life is unreformed.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 It is by affliction chiefly that the heart of man is purified, and that the thoughts are fixed on a better state. Prosperity has power to intoxicate the imagination, to fix the mind upon the present scene, to produce confidence and elation, and to make him who enjoys affluence and honors forget the hand by which they were bestowed. It is seldom that we are otherwise than by affliction awakened to a sense of our imbecility, or taught to know how little all our acquisitions can conduce to safety or quiet, and how justly we may inscribe to the superintendence of a higher power those blessings which in the wantonness of success we considered as the attainments of our policy and courage.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 O God, Who hast ordained that whatever is to be desired, should be sought by labor, and Who, by Thy blessing, bringest honest labor to good effect; look with mercy upon my studies and endeavors. Grant me, O Lord, to design only what is lawful and right, and afford me calmness of mind, and steadiness of purpose, that I may so do Thy will in this short life, as to obtain happiness in the world to come, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Commemoration of James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, Martyr in Uganda, 1885 Continuing a short series on prayer: Madness frequently discovers itself merely by unnecessary deviation from the usual modes of the world. My poor friend Christopher Smart showed the disturbance of his mind, by falling upon his knees, and saying his prayers in the street, or in any other unusual place. Now although, rationally speaking, it is greater madness not to pray at all, than to pray as Smart did, I am afraid there are so many who do not pray, that their understanding is not called in question... I did not think he ought to be shut up. His infirmities were not noxious to society. He insisted on people praying with him; and I'd as lief pray with Kit Smart as any.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 Almighty and most merciful Father, I again appear in Thy presence the wretched misspender of another year which Thy mercy has allowed me. O Lord let me not sink into total depravity, look down upon me, and rescue me at last from the captivity of sin. Impart to me good resolutions, and give me strength and perseverance to perform them. Take not from me Thy Holy Spirit, but grant that I may redeem the time lost, and that by temperance and diligence, by sincere repentance and faithful obedience I may finally attain everlasting happiness, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Topic: Christianity
Source: None
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Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.
Topic: Cliches and One-Liners
Source: None
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The usual fortune of complaint is to excite contempt more than pity.
Topic: Complaint
Source: None
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Life cannot subsist in society but by reciprocal concessions.
Topic: Compromise
Source: None
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The superiority of some men is merely local. They are great because their associates are little.
Topic: Contrast
Source: None
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The lustre of diamonds is invigorated by the interposition of darker bodies; the lights of a picture are created by the shades; the highest pleasure which nature has indulged to sensitive perception is that of rest after fatigue.
Topic: Contrast
Source: None
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Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.
Topic: Conversation
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson
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Tom Birch is as brisk as a bee in conversation; but no sooner
does he take a pen in his hand, than it becomes a torpedo to him,
and benumbs all his faculties.
Topic: Conversation
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson
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His conversation does not show the minute hand; but he strikes
the hour very correctly.
Topic: Conversation
Source: Johnsoniana--Kearsley (l. 604)
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Bravery has no place where it can avail nothing.
Topic: Courage
Source: None
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To shake with laughter ere the jest they hear,
To pour at will the counterfeited tear;
And, as their patron hints the cold or heat,
To shake in dog-days, in December sweat.
Topic: Courtiers
Source: London (l. 140)
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A cow is a very good animal in the field; but we turn her out of
a garden.
Topic: Cows
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson
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Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well.
Topic: Criticism
Source: None
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The difference between coarse and refined abuse is the difference between being bruised by a club and wounded by a poisoned arrow.
Topic: Cruelty
Source: None
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Do not accustom yourself to consider debt only as an inconvenience; you will find it a calamity.
Topic: Debt
Source: None
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No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance.
Topic: Dependence
Source: None
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Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.
Topic: Desire
Source: None
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What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence.
Topic: Diligence
Source: None
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Few things are impossible to diligence and skill ... Great works are performed, not by strength, but perseverance.
Topic: Diligence
Source: None
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Disease is a physical process that generally begins that equality which death completes.
Topic: Disease
Source: None
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When desperate ills demand a speedy cure,
Distrust is cowardice, and prudence folly.
Topic: Distrust
Source: Irene (act IV, sc. 1, l. 87)
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A certain amount of distrust is wholesome, but not so much of
others as of ourselves; neither vanity not conceit can exist in
the same atmosphere with it.
Topic: Distrust
Source: Irene (act IV, sc. 1, l. 87)
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For I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly will
hardly mind anything else.
Topic: Eating
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson (vol. III, ch. 9)
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For a man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he
does of his dinner.
Topic: Eating
Source: Piozzi's Anecdotes of Johnson
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Without economy none can be rich, and with it few will be poor.
Topic: Economy
Source: None
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I wish there were some cure, like the lover's leap, for all heads
of which some single idea has obtained an unreasonable and
irregular possession.
Topic: Fanaticism
Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson
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As any action or posture long continued will distort and
disfigure the limbs; so the mind likewise is crippled and
contracted by perpetual application to the same set of ideas.
Topic: Fanaticism
Source: Rambler (#173)
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Fanatical religion driven to a certain point is almost as bad as
none at all, but not quite.
Topic: Fanaticism
Source: Rambler (#173)
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