Samuel Johnson

Have y'all heard of this guy?

Much of my time has sunk into nothing, and left no trace by which it can be distinguished; and of this I now only know, that it was once in my power, and might once have been improved.

-Adventurer #137

How much of that do you think a good tattoo artist could fit across the back of my neck?

It is, however, not necessary, that a man should forbear to write, till he has discovered some truth unknown before; he may be sufficiently useful, by only diversifying the surface of knowledge, and luring the mind by a new appearance to a second view of those beauties which it had passed over inattentively before.

-Adventurer #137

Now that's even better than the catshit anodyne.

To write is, indeed, no unpleasing employment, when one sentiment readily produces another, and both ideas and expressions present themselves at the first summons; but such happiness, the greatest genius does not always obtain; and common writers know it only to such a degree, as to credit its possibility. Composition is, for the most part, an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.

-Adventurer #138

XOXO, Sammy.

All joy or sorrow for the happiness or calamities of others is produced by an act of the imagination, that realizes the event however fictitious, or approximates it however remote, by placing us, for a time, in the condition of him whose fortunes we contemplate; so that we feel, while the deception lasts, whatever emotions would be excited by the same good or evil happening to ourselves.
. . .
We are all prompted by the same motives, all deceived by the same fallacies, all animated by hope, obstructed by danger, entangled by desire, and seduced by pleasure.

-Rambler #60

And yet:

Mrs. Knowles: "Still, Doctor, I cannot help thinking it a hardship that more indulgence is allowed to men than women. It gives a superiority to men, to which I do not see how they are entitled." Johnson: "It is plain, Madam, one or the other must have the superiority. As Shakespeare says, 'If two men ride on a horse, one must ride behind.'"

Boswell: Life

Saaay, Mr. Johnson, isn't that a quote from Much Ado About Nothing? And isn't it Dogberry's line — Dogberry, who earlier in this very scene utters the phrase "Comparisons are odorous" and later in this very scene utters the phrase "It shall be suffigance"? And don't you, in fact, happen to know a little something about Shakespeare yourself? I say, Mr. Johnson, you had better check yourself before you wreck yourself. Irony really won't be in fashion until the early 21st century.


This picture makes me happy.