Quote#Wisdom
His mind resembled the vast ampitheatre, the Colisæum at Rome. In the…
Quote byJames Boswell · 1740–1795
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. (1791), Referring to Johnson (26 October 1769).
English (original)
His mind resembled the vast ampitheatre, the Colisæum at Rome. In the centre stood his judgement, which like a mighty gladiator, combated those apprehensions that, like the wild beasts of the Arena, were all around in cells, ready to be let out upon him. After a conflict, he drives them back into their dens; but not killing them, they were still assailing him.
— James Boswell
More from James Boswell
Johnson is dead. Let us go to the next best — there is nobody; no man can be said to put you in mind of Johnson.
The best good man, with the worst natur'd muse.
Boswell is pleasant and gay, For frolic by nature designed; He heedlessly rattles away When company is to his mind.
'Sir,' said Mr Johnson, 'a lawyer has no business with the justice or injustice of the cause which he undertakes, unless his client asks his opinion, and then he is bound to give it honestly. The justice or injustice of the cause is to be …
I fancy mankind may come, in time, to write all aphoristically.
Influence must ever be in proportion to property; and it is right it should.