But though it cannot be reasonable not to gain happiness for fear of losing it, yet it must be confessed, that in proportion to the pleasure of possession, will be for some time our sorrow for the loss.
Samuel JohnsonA transition from an author's book to his conversation, is too often like an entrance into a large city.
Samuel JohnsonPain and disease awaken us to convictions which are necessary to our moral condition.
Samuel JohnsonLife is barren enough surely with all her trappings; let us be therefore cautious of how we strip her.
Samuel JohnsonEvery man is prompted by the love of himself to imagine that he possesses some qualities, superior, either in kind or degree, to those which he sees allotted to the rest of the world; and, whatever apparent disadvantages he may suffer in the comparison with others, he has some invisible distinctions, some latent reserve of excellence, which he throws into the balance, and by which he generally fancies that it is turned in his favour.
Samuel Johnson