The History of Rasselas Quotes

“Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal; and he may properly be charged with evil who refused to learn how he might prevent it.”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:evillearningignorance

“is there such depravity in man as that he should injure another without benefit to himself?”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:evil

“Of the uncertainties of our present state, the most dreadful and alarming is the uncertain continuance of reason.”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:reason

“Long customs are not easily broken; he that attempts to change the course of his own life very often labours in vain, and how shall we do that for others which we are seldom able to do for ourselves?”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:change

“Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:work

“To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar.”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:reading

“Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:marriagepleasure

“The truth is that no mind is much employed upon the present; recollection and anticipation fill up almost all our moments.”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:memorypresent

“Age looks with anger on the temerity of youth, and youth with contempt on the scrupulosity of age.”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:ageanger

“However, some desire is necessary to keep life in motion; and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.”

― Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas

topic:desire