Samuel Johnson Quotes About Doubt
-
Those who have no power to judge of past times but by their own, should always doubt their conclusions
→ -
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.
→ -
If a man is in doubt whether it would be better for him to expose himself to martyrdom or not, he should not do it. He must be convinced that he has a delegation from heaven.
→ -
It has long been observed, that an atheist has no just reason for endeavouring conversions; and yet none harass those minds which they can influence, with more importunity of solicitation to adopt their opinions. In proportion as they doubt the truth of their own doctrines, they are desirous to gain the attestation of another understanding: and industriously labour to win a proselyte, and eagerly catch at the slightest pretense to dignify their sect with a distinguished name.
→ -
I do not see, Sir, that it is reasonable for a man to be angry at another, whom a woman has preferred to him; but angry he is, no doubt; and he is loath to be angry at himself.
→ -
I doubt if there ever was a man who was not gratified by being told that he was liked by the women.
→ -
At length weariness succeeds to labor, and the mind lies at ease in the contemplation of her own attainments without any desire of new conquests or excursions. This is the age of recollection and narrative; the opinions are settled, and the avenues of apprehension shut against any new intelligence; the days that are to follow must pass in the inculcation of precepts already collected, and assertion of tenets already received; nothing is henceforward so odious as opposition, so insolent as doubt, or so dangerous as novelty.
→ -
If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state of his mind; but our primary consideration would be to take care of ourselves. We should knock him down first, and pity him afterwards.
→
Related Authors
-
Edmund Burke Statesman -
John Dryden Poet -
Dick Clark Radio personality -
David Hume Philosopher -
Joshua Reynolds Painter -
William Shakespeare Poet -
T. S. Eliot Playwright -
Samuel Pepys Member of Parliament -
Samuel Richardson Writer -
Oliver Goldsmith Novelist -
Ben Jonson Playwright -
James Boswell Lawyer -
Noah Webster Lexicographer -
John Milton Poet -
Henry Fielding Novelist -
Samuel Beckett Novelist -
Jane Austen Novelist -
Jonathan Swift Pamphleteer -
Thomas Gray Poet -
Alexander Pope Poet