Among the innumerable mortifications which waylay human arrogance on every side may well be reckoned our ignorance of the most common objects and effects, a defect of which we become more sensible by every attempt to supply it. Vulgar and inactive minds confound familiarity with knowledge and conceive themselves informed of the whole nature of things when they are shown their form or told their use; but the speculatist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity, and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows less.
Samuel JohnsonBefore dinner men meet with great inequality of understanding; and those who are conscious of their inferiority have the modesty not to talk; when they have drunk wine, every man feels himself happy, and loses that modesty, and grows impudent and vociferous; but he is not improved; he is only not sensible of his defects.
Samuel JohnsonDistance either of time or place is sufficient to reconcile weak minds to wonderful relations.
Samuel JohnsonWhile an author is yet living, we estimate his powers by his worst performance; and when he is dead, we rate him by his best.
Samuel JohnsonTo preserve health is a moral and religious duty: for health is the basis of all social virtues; and we can be useful no longer than while we are well.
Samuel Johnson