Quote#Courage
Fears of the brave, and follies of the wise!
Quote bySamuel Johnson · 1709–1784
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749), Line 316.
English (original)
Fears of the brave, and follies of the wise! From Marlb'rough's eyes the streams of dotage flow, And Swift expires, a driv'ler and a show.
— Samuel Johnson
More from Samuel Johnson
This mournful truth is ev'rywhere confessed — Slow rises worth, by poverty depressed.
Unmoved though Witlings sneer and Rivals rail, Studious to please, yet not ashamed to fail. He scorns the meek address, the suppliant strain. With merit needless, and without it vain. In Reason, Nature, Truth, he dares to trust: Ye Fops, …
By Numbers here from Shame or Censure free, All Crimes are safe, but hated Poverty. This, only this, the rigid Law persues, This, only this, provokes the snarling Muse.
Of all the Griefs that harrass the Distrest, Sure the most bitter is a scornful Jest
The reciprocal civility of authors is one of the most risible scenes in the farce of life.
A thousand horrid Prodigies foretold it. A feeble government, eluded Laws, A factious Populace, luxurious Nobles, And all the maladies of stinking states.