Exactness is first obtained, and afterwards elegance. But diction, merely vocal, is always in its childhood. As no man leaves his eloquence behind him, the new generations have all to learn. There may possibly be books without a polished language, but there can be no polished language without books.
Samuel JohnsonNothing is more idle than to inquire after happiness, which nature has kindly placed within our reach.
Samuel JohnsonThe natural progress of the works of men is from rudeness to convenience, from convenience to elegance, and from elegance to nicety.
Samuel JohnsonHe that resigns his peace to little casualties, and suffers the course of his life to be interrupted for fortuitous inadvertencies or offences, delivers up himself to the direction of the wind, and loses all that constancy and equanimity which constitutes the chief praise of a wise man.
Samuel Johnson