Excellence in any department can be attained only by the labor of a lifetime; it is not to be purchased at a lesser price.

Quote by Samuel Johnson

Topics: Excellence Quotes

Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation...

Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation...

Life cannot subsist in society but by reciprocal concessions.

Life cannot subsist in society but by reciprocal concessions.

You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir,...

You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir,...

Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense....

Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense....

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong...

The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong...

Man alone is born crying, lives complaining, and dies disappointed.

Man alone is born crying, lives complaining, and dies disappointed.

Power is not sufficient evidence of truth

Power is not sufficient evidence of truth

Almost every man wastes part of his life attempting to display qualities which he does...

Almost every man wastes part of his life attempting to display qualities which he does...

No man was ever great by imitation.

No man was ever great by imitation.

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

When men come to like a sea-life, they are not fit to live on land.

When men come to like a sea-life, they are not fit to live on land.

Self-love is often rather arrogant than blind; it does not hide our faults from ourselves,...

Self-love is often rather arrogant than blind; it does not hide our faults from ourselves,...

I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know...

I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know...

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

This mournful truth is ev'rywhere confess'd,- Slow rises worth by poverty depress'd

This mournful truth is ev'rywhere confess'd,- Slow rises worth by poverty depress'd

Where there is no difficulty there is no praise

Where there is no difficulty there is no praise

Moderation is commonly firm, and firmness is commonly successful

Moderation is commonly firm, and firmness is commonly successful

Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.

Moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have an alternative.

Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues.

Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues.