The certainty that life cannot be long, and the probability that it will be much shorter than nature allows, ought to awaken every man to the active prosecution of whatever he is desirous to perform. It is true, that no diligence can ascertain success; death may intercept the swiftest career; but he who is cut off in the execution of an honest undertaking has at least the honour of falling in his rank, and has fought the battle, though he missed the victory. β¨ Samuel Johnson (1840). The Life and Writings of Samuel Johnson..., p.101
More Author Quotes
- Leisure and curiosity might soon make great advances in useful knowledge, were they not diverted by minute emulation and laborious trifles. β¨ Samuel Johnson (1784). The Rambler: In Four Volumes.., p. β¦ βΆ
- To set the mind above the appetites is the end of abstinence, which one of the Fathers observes to be not a virtue, but the groundwork of virtue. β¨ The Idler: With Additional Essays.
- Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy. β¨ In James Boswell 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' (1791) vol. 3, p. 381 (7 April 1779)
- The vicious count their years; virtuous, their acts. β¨ Samuel Johnson (2011). Dictionary of the English Language (Complete and Unabridged), p.2238, BookBaby
- What signifies protesting so against flattery when a person speaks well of one, it must either be true or false, you know if true, let us rejoice in his good opinion if he lies, it is a proof at leas β¦ βΆ
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