Maxioms by Samuel Johnson
Controversies merely speculative are of small importance in themselves, however they may have sometimes heated a disputant, or provoked a read more
Controversies merely speculative are of small importance in themselves, however they may have sometimes heated a disputant, or provoked a faction
Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.
Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.
Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Writer, Moralist, 1784 It is by affliction chiefly read more
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.
London! the needy villain's general home,
The common sewer of Paris and of Rome!
With eager thirst, read more
London! the needy villain's general home,
The common sewer of Paris and of Rome!
With eager thirst, by folly or by fate,
Sucks in the dregs of each corrupted state.
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.
