--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the condition of our present state…" description: "\"It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution can never maintain a single day of unmingle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/samuel-johnson-50_admonition_it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state_1026079.jpg" --- # It is the condition of our present state to see more than… ![“It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution can never maintain a single day of unmingled innocence.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/samuel-johnson-50_admonition_it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state_1026079.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/samuel-johnson-50_admonition_it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state_1026079.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/samuel-johnson-50_admonition_it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state_1026079.jpg) > “It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution can never maintain a single day of unmingled innocence.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human beings constantly desire more than they can achieve, and even the highest vigilance cannot preserve pure innocence. **In simple terms:** Desire exceeds capacity, and vigilance cannot keep innocence intact. Key Takeaway Accept limits and practice realistic expectations. Themes desire vigilance innocence human condition limitations Mood cautionary philosophical Type literary ethical When to use this quote - goal setting - risk management - education - spiritual practice - leadership Key Concepts ethics psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What desires exceed your capacity? - How can you protect innocence in a complex world? A Different Perspective Even with effort, some loss of innocence is inevitable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admonition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admonition/) [Atonement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atonement/) [Caution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caution/) [Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditions/) [Contagion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contagion/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Endeavour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavour/) [Exactest Vigilance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exactest-vigilance-2316705/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Faults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faults/) [Hinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hinder/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocence/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Unmingled Innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unmingled-innocence-2316707/) [Vigilance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigilance/) [Vigilance Caution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigilance-caution-2316706/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [To see helpless infancy stretching out her hands, and pouring out her cries in testimony of dependence, without any powers to alarm jealousy, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-see-helpless-infancy-stretching-out-her-hands-and-pouring-out-her/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [When first the college rolls receive his name, The young enthusiast quilts his ease for fame; Through all his veins the fever of renown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/when-first-the-college-rolls-receive-his-name-the-young-enthusiast/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rule of composition; it produces vigilance rather than elevation; rather prevents loss than procures advantage;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/prudence-operates-on-life-in-the-same-manner-as-rule-of-composition/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [There is, indeed, nothing that so much seduces reason from vigilance, as the thought of passing life with an amiable woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/there-is-indeed-nothing-that-so-much-seduces-reason-from-vigilance-as/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [To prevent evil is the great end of government, the end for which vigilance and severity are properly employed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-prevent-evil-is-the-great-end-of-government-the-end-for-which/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Keep Looking Up was my life's admonition I can do little else in my present position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-horkheimer/keep-looking-up-was-my-life-s-admonition-i-can-do-little-else-in-my/) [Jack Horkheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-horkheimer/) > [It is a singular capriciousness of the human mind, that after all the admonitions we have had from experience on this head, there should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-singular-capriciousness-of-the-human-mind-that-after-all-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Harsh reproof is like a violent storm, soon washed down the channel; but friendly admonitions, like a small shower, pierce deep, and bring forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-chamberlain/harsh-reproof-is-like-a-violent-storm-soon-washed-down-the-channel/) [Roger Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-chamberlain/) > [Admonition never sinks so deeply on the heart as in the hour of trial; young, amiable as you are, life teems, I doubt not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-maria-roche/admonition-never-sinks-so-deeply-on-the-heart-as-in-the-hour-of-trial/) [Regina Maria Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-maria-roche/) > [Lastly, I would address one general admonition to all: that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/lastly-i-would-address-one-general-admonition-to-all-that-they/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Reprehension is a kind of middle thing betwixt admonition and correction: it is sharpe admonition, but a milde correction. It is rather to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gouge/reprehension-is-a-kind-of-middle-thing-betwixt-admonition-and/) [William Gouge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gouge/) > [Far and away the most futile admonition Christ ever offered was when he said, 'Have no care for tomorrow. Don't worry about whether you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/far-and-away-the-most-futile-admonition-christ-ever-offered-was-when/) [Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/) > [Everyone interested in licensing our field might note that the reason licensing has been invented is to protect the public, not designers or clients.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-glaser/everyone-interested-in-licensing-our-field-might-note-that-the-reason/) [Milton Glaser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-glaser/) > [“gentle admonition." "Gentle admonition! Do you call that gentle admonition? Why, uncle, you are enough to frighten most people to death with your fury.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-e-n-southworth/gentle-admonition-gentle-admonition-do-you-call-that-gentle/) [E.D.E.N. Southworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-e-n-southworth/) > [The best preservative to keep the mind in health is the faithful admonition of a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-best-preservative-to-keep-the-mind-in-health-is-the-faithful/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/resolve-not-to-be-poor-whatever-you-have-spend-less-poverty-is-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/words-are-daughters-of-earth-but-ideas-are-sons-of-heaven/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Admonition quotes > [The best preservative to keep the mind in health is the faithful admonition of a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-best-preservative-to-keep-the-mind-in-health-is-the-faithful/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“gentle admonition." "Gentle admonition! Do you call that gentle admonition? Why, uncle, you are enough to frighten most people to death with your fury.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-e-n-southworth/gentle-admonition-gentle-admonition-do-you-call-that-gentle/) [E.D.E.N. Southworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-e-n-southworth/) > [Everyone interested in licensing our field might note that the reason licensing has been invented is to protect the public, not designers or clients.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-glaser/everyone-interested-in-licensing-our-field-might-note-that-the-reason/) [Milton Glaser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-glaser/) > [Far and away the most futile admonition Christ ever offered was when he said, 'Have no care for tomorrow. Don't worry about whether you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/far-and-away-the-most-futile-admonition-christ-ever-offered-was-when/) [Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/) > [Reprehension is a kind of middle thing betwixt admonition and correction: it is sharpe admonition, but a milde correction. It is rather to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gouge/reprehension-is-a-kind-of-middle-thing-betwixt-admonition-and/) [William Gouge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gouge/) > [Lastly, I would address one general admonition to all: that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/lastly-i-would-address-one-general-admonition-to-all-that-they/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Admonition never sinks so deeply on the heart as in the hour of trial; young, amiable as you are, life teems, I doubt not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-maria-roche/admonition-never-sinks-so-deeply-on-the-heart-as-in-the-hour-of-trial/) [Regina Maria Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-maria-roche/) > [Harsh reproof is like a violent storm, soon washed down the channel; but friendly admonitions, like a small shower, pierce deep, and bring forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-chamberlain/harsh-reproof-is-like-a-violent-storm-soon-washed-down-the-channel/) [Roger Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-chamberlain/) > [It is a singular capriciousness of the human mind, that after all the admonitions we have had from experience on this head, there should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-singular-capriciousness-of-the-human-mind-that-after-all-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Keep Looking Up was my life's admonition I can do little else in my present position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-horkheimer/keep-looking-up-was-my-life-s-admonition-i-can-do-little-else-in-my/) [Jack Horkheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-horkheimer/) > [What I mean by the Muse is that unimpeded clearness of the intuitive powers, which a perfectly truthful adherence to every admonition of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/what-i-mean-by-the-muse-is-that-unimpeded-clearness-of-the-intuitive/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [There needs to be an order of office, but in every single office that is presented in the Scriptures there is the personal emphasis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-schaeffer/there-needs-to-be-an-order-of-office-but-in-every-single-office-that/) [Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-schaeffer/) > [To arrive at perfection, a man should have very sincere friends or inveterate enemies; because he would be made sensible of his good or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/to-arrive-at-perfection-a-man-should-have-very-sincere-friends-or/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [This whole process of education is to be religious, and not only religious, but Christian. And as Christianity is the only true religion, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/this-whole-process-of-education-is-to-be-religious-and-not-only/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [The function of education has never been to free the mind and the spirit of man, but to bind them; and to the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-henry/the-function-of-education-has-never-been-to-free-the-mind-and-the/) [Jules Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-henry/) [Browse all 65 Admonition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admonition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution can never maintain a single day of unmingled innocence.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state-to-see-more-than-we-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Admonition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state-to-see-more-than-we-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/samuel-johnson-50_admonition_it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state_1026079.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/samuel-johnson-50_admonition_it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state_1026079.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/731/samuel-johnson-50_admonition_it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state_1026079.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution…” — Samuel Johnson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Samuel Johnson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is the condition of our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state-to-see-more-than-we-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-the-condition-of-our-present-state-to-see-more-than-we-can/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```