Doctor Johnson Flashcards
Boswell’s excuse
Mr Johnson, (said I) I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it.
Johnson comments on people’s attitude to learning.
‘Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labour; but even supposing knowledge to be easily attainable, more people would be content to be ignorant than would take even a little trouble to acquire it.
On the Scots.
But, Sir, let me tell you, the noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England!
On the Scots and shouty gobby nationalists
There is nothing surprising in this sir. He wants to make himself conspicuous. He would tumble in a hog stye, as long as you looked at him and called him to come out. But let him alone, never mind him, and he’ll soon give it over.
On the benefits of subordination.
Subordination tends greatly to human happiness. Were we all upon an equality, we should have no other enjoyment than mere animal pleasure.
On the Levellers (socialists).
Sir, your Levellers wish to level down as far as themselves; but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves.
On exaggeration.
‘Don’t Sir,accustom yourself to use big words for little matters.
It would not be terrible, though I were to be detained some time here.
The practice of using words of disproportionate magnitude, is no doubt, too frequent every where; but I think, most remarkable among the French, of which, all who have travelled in France must have been struck with innumerable instances.
Johnson on writing.
“No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money.”
Johnson on dealing with grief using patience, rather than sudden distraction from or amusement.
‘While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till grief be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.”
