The Life of Samuel Johnson

Чем меньше недостатков у нас, тем терпимее мы относимся к недостаткам других

В письмах душа человека раскрывается полностью, они – зеркало его души

Для того чтобы научить человека говорить правду, необходимо прежде научить его эту правду выслушивать

Страна, которой правит деспот, подобна перевернутому конусу

Честность без знаний – слаба и бессмыслена, а знания без честности – очень опасны

То, что пишется без напряжения, и читается без удовольствия

Самыми нужными книгами оказываются те, которые мы готовы были бросить в огонь

Патриотизм – последнее прибежище негодяя

Мы особенно недоброжелательны к тем, кого сами же ущемили

В мире не может быть книги беднее (каких бы усилий она ни стоила своему создателю), чем та, что не вобрала в себя опыт предшествующих сочинителей

Soon after his return to London, which was in February, was founded that CLUB which existed long without a name, but at Mr. Garrick's funeral became distinguished by the title of THE LITERARY CLUB. Sir Joshua Reynolds had the merit of being the first proposer of it, to which Johnson acceded, and the original members were Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Edmund Burke, Dr. Nugent, Mr. Beauclerk, Mr. Langton, Dr. Goldsmith, Mr. Chamier, and Sir John Hawkins.

He told me that he had twelve or fourteen times attempted to keep a journal of his life, but never could persevere. He advised me to do it. " The great thing to be recorded (said he), is the state of your own mind ; and you should write down every thing that you remember, for you cannot judge at first what is good or bad ; and write immediately while the impression is fresh, for it will not be the same a week afterwards."

Samuel Johnson

To write the Life of him who excelled all mankind in writing the lives of others, and who, whether we consider his extraordinary endowments, or his various works, has been equalled by few in any age, is an arduous, and may be reckoned in me a presumptuous task.

CHAPTER XXV—1775

JOHNSON AND MACPHERSON

Johnson and Mrs. Charlotte Lennox—His Preface to Baretti's Easy Lessons—Correspondence with Boswell—Questions the Authenticity of Ossian's Poems—His Letter to James Macpherson—His Personal Courage—Defeats Foote's Intended Mimicry—" Journey to the Western Islands," Published—The Ossian Controversy.

"Write to me, and send me what intelligence you can : and if any thing is too bulky for the post, let me have it by the carrier. I do not like trusting winds and waves.

"I am, dear Sir,
"Your most, etc.

"Jan. 29, 1774."

"SAM. JOHNSON.

CHAPTER XXIV—1773

THE TOUR TO THE HEBRIDES

Johnson Sets Out on his Tour to the Hebrides-Arrives in Edinburgh and Visits the Isles by Way of Aberdeen and Inverness—Letters to Boswell—Johnson and Davies—Johnson Writes an Account of his "Tour"—Letter to George Steevens—Death of Goldsmith—Johnson's Greek Epitaph on Goldsmith—Visits Wales with the Thrales—Writes the "Patriot"—Mr. Perkins—Hoole's Tragedy, " Cleonice."

Upon another occasion, when Goldsmith confessed himself to be of an envious disposition, I contended with Johnson that we ought not to be angry with him, he was so candid in owning it. " Nay, Sir (said Johnson), we must be angry that a man has such a super-abundance of an odious quality, that he cannot keep it within his own breast, but it boils over." In my opinion, however, Goldsmith had not more of it than other people have, but only talked of it freely.