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The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752

Book by Samuel Johnson · 15 quotes · Men, May, Writing

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The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752 Quotes

“The student who would build his knowledge on solid foundations, and proceed by just degrees to the pinnacles of truth, is directed by the great philosopher of France to begin by doubting of his own existence. In like manner, whoever would complete any arduous and intricate enterprise, should, as soon as his imagination can cool after the first blaze of hope, place before his own eyes every possible embarrassment that may retard or defeat him. He should first question the probability of success, and then endeavour to remove the objections that he has raised.”

ShouldFirstsMayEyeImaginationExistenceDoubtStudentsTruth IsDegreesFoundationRaisedDefeatPhilosopherFranceEnterpriseRemoveProbabilityEmbarrassmentObjectionsEndeavourIntricatePinnacleRetardSolid FoundationGreat Philosophers
Book:The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752
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“It is not difficult to conceive, however, that for many reasons a man writes much better than he lives. For without entering into refined speculations, it may be shown much easier to design than to perform. A man proposes his schemes of life in a state of abstraction and disengagement, exempt from the enticements of hope, the solicitations of affection, the importunities of appetite, or the depressions of fear.”

MenWritingMayStatesReasonDifficultDesignEasierAffectionAppetiteSchemesEnteringAbstractionSpeculationProposeRefinedEnticementDisengagementSolicitation
Book:The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752
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“Truth, like beauty, varies its fashions, and is best recommended by different dresses to different minds; and he that recalls the attention of mankind to any part of learning which time has left behind it, may be truly said to advance the literatures of his own age. As the manners of nations vary, new topicks of persuasion become necessary, and new combinations of imagery are produced; and he that can accommodate himself to the reigning taste, may always have readers who perhaps would not have looked upon better performances.”

WritingMindMaySaidDifferentAgeLiteratureLeftNationsBehindsAttentionMankindFashionReaderTastePerformancesDressesMannersCombinationRecallsPersuasionLeft BehindImageryVaryAccommodateDifferent Minds
Book:The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752
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“As he that lives longest lives but a little while, every man may be certain that he has no time to waste. The duties of life are commensurate to its duration; and every day brings its task, which, if neglected, is doubled on the morrow.”

IfsMenMayLittlesCertainDutyWasteTasksEvery ManLong LifeNeglectedDiligenceDurationMorrowNo Time To Waste
Book:The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752
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“It may be no less dangerous to claim, on certain occasions, too little than too much. There is something captivating in spirit and intrepidity, to which we often yield as to a resistless power; nor can we often yield as to a resistless power; nor can he reasonably expect the confidence of others who too apparently distrusts himself.”

MayLittlesSpiritCertainToo MuchDangerousClaimsOccasionsYieldDistrustCaptivating
Book:The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752
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“Idleness is often covered by turbulence and hurry. He that neglects his known duty and real employment naturally endeavours to crowd his mind with something that may bar out the remembrance of his own folly, and does any thing but what he ought to do with eager diligence, that he may keep himself in his own favour.”

MindMayDoeRealHappinessKnownDutyOughtCrowdsBarsEmploymentFollyNeglectCoveredRemembranceFavourIdlenessDiligenceEndeavourTurbulence
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“Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure, but of obtaining those rewards which the accomplishment may deserve. She is not easily persuaded to believe that the force of merit can be resisted by obstinacy and avarice, or its luster darkened by envy and malignity.”

WorldBelieveMayCertainForceImagineYouthAdventureDeservePrejudiceRewardsEnvyFavorsAccomplishmentMeritVery HappyAvariceObtainingObstinacyLuster
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“Man is a transitory being, and his designs must partake of the imperfections of their author. To confer duration is not always in our power. We must snatch the present moment, and employ it well, without too much solicitude for the future, and content ourselves with reflecting that our part is performed. He that waits for an opportunity to do much at once, may breathe out his life in idle wishes, and regret, in the last hour, his useless intentions and barren zeal.”

MenWellsMayMomentsLastsHumanityOpportunityWishWaitingHoursToo MuchDesignRegretIntentionBreatheUselessPresent MomentImperfectionIdleReflectingZealBarrenDurationTransitorySolicitude
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“False taste is always busy to mislead those that are entering upon the regions of learning; and the traveller, uncertain of his way, and forsaken by the sun, will be pleased to see a fainter orb arise on the horizon, that may rescue him from total darkness, though with weak and borrowed lustre.”

WayMayDarknessSunIgnoranceTasteWeakBusyAriseRegionsHorizonRescueUncertainEnteringMisleadBorrowedTravellerForsakenOrbs
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“No cause more frequently produces bashfulness than too high an opinion of our own importance. He that imagines an assembly filled with his merit, panting with expectation, and hushed with attention, easily terrifies himself with the dread of disappointing them, and strains his imagination in pursuit of something that may vindicate the veracity of fame, and show that his reputation was not gained by chance.”

MayShowsCausesImaginationChanceAttentionOpinionImagineProduceFameExpectationsImportanceFilledPursuitReputationMeritArroganceDreadStrainAssemblyDisappointingVeracityBashfulness
Book:The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752
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“Few men survey themselves with so much severity as not to admit prejudices in their own favour, which an artful flatterer may gradually strengthen, till wishes for a particular qualification are improved to hopes of attainment, and hopes of attainment to belief of possession.”

MenMayBeliefWishParticularPrejudicePossessionFavourFlatteryAttainmentSurveysQualificationsSeverityFlatterer
Book:The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752
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