Samuel Johnson Quotes About Defeat

• Words too familiar, or too remote, defeat the purpose of a poet. From those sounds which we hear on small or on coarse occasions, we do not easily receive strong impressions, or delightful images; and words to which we are nearly strangers, whenever they occur, draw that attention on themselves which they should transmit to other things.

  Samuel Johnson

  Strong, Writing, Attention

  Samuel Johnson (1825). “The Lives of the English Poets”, p.115

• 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.

  Samuel Johnson

  Eye, Imagination, Doubt

  Samuel Johnson (1825). “The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752”, p.77

• No man is defeated without some resentment which will be continued with obstinacy while he believes himself in the right, and asserted with bitterness, if even to his own conscience he is detected in the wrong.

  Samuel Johnson

  Believe, Men, Bitterness

• Words too familiar, or too remote, defeat the purpose of a poet.

  Samuel Johnson

  Purpose, Defeat, Poet

  Samuel Johnson (1825). “The Lives of the English Poets”, p.115

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