Quote#Hope
No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human…
Quote bySamuel Johnson · 1709–1784
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Rambler (1750–1752), No. 106 (23 March 1751).
English (original)
No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a public library.
— Samuel Johnson
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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, …
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.
This mournful truth is ev'rywhere confessed — Slow rises worth, by poverty depressed.
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.
A thousand horrid Prodigies foretold it. A feeble government, eluded Laws, A factious Populace, luxurious Nobles, And all the maladies of stinking states.