I soon found that wit, like every other power, has its boundaries; that its success depends upon the aptitude of others to receive impressions; and that as some bodies, indissoluble by heat, can set the furnace and crucible at defiance,…

Quote by Samuel Johnson

Topics: Limits Quotes, Success Quotes, Wit Quotes

There is no wisdom in useless and hopeless sorrow

There is no wisdom in useless and hopeless sorrow

Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not...

Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not...

What signifies protesting so against flattery! when a person speaks well of one, it must...

What signifies protesting so against flattery! when a person speaks well of one, it must...

It generally happens that assurance keeps an even pace with ability.

It generally happens that assurance keeps an even pace with ability.

I had rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the...

I had rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the...

There is, indeed, nothing that so much seduces reason from vigilance, as the thought of...

There is, indeed, nothing that so much seduces reason from vigilance, as the thought of...

Promise, large promise, is the soul of an advertisement.

Promise, large promise, is the soul of an advertisement.

You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do...

You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do...

Merit is much more cheaply acknowledged than rewarded

Merit is much more cheaply acknowledged than rewarded

The feeling of friendship is like that of being comfortably filled with roast beef; love,...

The feeling of friendship is like that of being comfortably filled with roast beef; love,...

It is not from reason and prudence that people marry, but from inclination

It is not from reason and prudence that people marry, but from inclination

Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of...

Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of...

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of...

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of...

Pride is seldom delicate; it will please itself with very mean advantages.

Pride is seldom delicate; it will please itself with very mean advantages.

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...

There are some sluggish men who are improved by drinking; as there are fruits that...

There are some sluggish men who are improved by drinking; as there are fruits that...

If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will...

If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will...

A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but, one is...

A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but, one is...

He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either...

He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either...

Every man who attacks my belief, diminishes in some degree my confidence in it, and...

Every man who attacks my belief, diminishes in some degree my confidence in it, and...