"Men who have flattered themselves into this opinion……" — Samuel Johnson
"Men who have flattered themselves into this opinion of their own abilities, look down on all who waste their lives over books, as a race of inferior beings condemned by nature to perpetual pupilage, and fruitlessly endeavouring to remedy their barrenness by incessant cultivation, or succour their feebleness by subsidiary strength. They presume that none would be more industrious than they, if they were not more sensible of deficiences; and readily conclude, that he who places no confidence in his own powers owes his modesty only to his weakness."
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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.
— Napoleon Bonaparte
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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
See all 618 Abilities Quotes »