"Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian;……" — Samuel Johnson
"Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in historical composition, all the greatest powers of the human mind are quiescent. He has facts ready to his hand; so there is no exercise of invention. Imagination is not required in any degree; only about as much as is used in the lowest kinds of poetry. Some penetration, accuracy, and coloring, will fit a man for the task, if he can give the application which is necessary."
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Samuel Johnson
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1,266 Quotes by Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson has 1,266 quotes on this site.
A few more worth reading:
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Your aspirations are your possibilities.
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It is, indeed, at home that every man must be known by those who would make a just estimate either…
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The violence of war admits no distinction; the lance, that is lifted at guilt and power, will sometimes fall on…
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Much may be made of a Scotchman, if he be caught young.
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To a people warlike and indigent, an incursion into a rich country is never hurtful.
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The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.
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Health is certainly more valuable than money, because it is by health that money is procured.
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The certainty that life cannot be long, and the probability that it will be much shorter than nature allows, ought…
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Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation; you do not find it among gross people.
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Politics are now nothing more than means of rising in the world.
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The true genius is a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction.
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He who expects much will be often disappointed; yet disappointment seldom cures us of expectation, or has any other effect…
See all 1,266 quotes by Samuel Johnson »
More Abilities Quotes
This quote is filed under Abilities Quotes,
one of 618 quotes in that category. Here are a few more:
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Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much…
— Francis Bacon
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A constitutional statesman is in general a man of common opinions and uncommon abilities.
— Walter Bagehot
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To be perfectly just is an attribute of the divine nature; to be so to the utmost of our abilities,…
— Joseph Addison
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Men take only their needs into consideration - never their abilities.
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I was a journeyman chef of middling abilities. Whatever authority I have as a commenter on this world comes from…
— Anthony Bourdain
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As you get older, the physical abilities decrease, which is particularly frustrating because your brain gets so good! So as…
— Deborah Bull
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Every person is endowed with God-given abilities, and we must cultivate every ounce of talent we have in order to…
— Benjamin Carson
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There's always an element of self delusion among people who believe they ought to be President. There's an underestimation of…
— Jimmy Carter
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The University brings out all abilities, including incapability.
— Anton Chekhov
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I would be a fool to deny my own abilities.
— Julie Andrews
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To practice virtue is to selflessly offer assistance to others, giving without limitation one's time, abilities, and possessions in service,…
— Laozi
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Confidence can get you where you want to go, and getting there is a daily process. It's so much easier…
— Donald Trump
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