The gratification which affluence of wealth, extent of power, and eminence of reputation confer, must be always, by their own nature, confined to a very small number; and the life of the greater part of mankind must be lost in empty wishes and painful comparisons, were not the balm of philosophy shed upon us, and our discontent at the appearances of unequal distribution soothed and appeased. ✨ Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1857). The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With an Essay on His Life and Genius, p.110
More Author Quotes
- Avarice is always poor. ✨ Samuel Johnson, Hester Lynch Piozzi, James Boswell (1787). The Beauties of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: Consisting of Maxims and Observations, Moral, Critical, and Miscellaneous, … ▶
- Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes, And pause a while from learning to be wise. There mark what ills the scholar's life assail,- Toil, envy, want, the patron, and the jail. ✨ 'The Vanity o … ▶
- There are charms made only for distant admiration. ✨ Samuel Johnson (1795). The Lives of the English Poets: and a Criticism on Their Works. By Samuel Johnson, p.85
- No one ever became great by imitation.
- The hostility perpetually exercised between one man and another, is caused by the desire of many for that which only few can possess. Every man would be rich, powerful, and famous; yet fame, power, a … ▶
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