Maxioms by Samuel Johnson
Pity is not natural to man. Children and savages are always cruel. Pity is acquired and improved by the cultivation read more
Pity is not natural to man. Children and savages are always cruel. Pity is acquired and improved by the cultivation of reason. We may have uneasy sensations from seeing a creature in distress, without pity; but we have not pity unless we wish to relieve him.
Commemoration of James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, Martyr in Uganda, 1885 Continuing a short series on prayer: read more
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.
Fine clothes are good only as they supply the want of other means
of procuring respect.
Fine clothes are good only as they supply the want of other means
of procuring respect.
The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.
The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.
Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.
Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.
