It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it be struck at one end of the room, it will soon fall to the ground. To keep it up, it must be struck at both ends.
Interpretation
A good book attracts both criticism and praise, which is essential for maintaining its prominence.
Samuel Johnson emphasizes the importance of both praise and criticism for an author's work. He likens fame to a shuttlecock, suggesting that it requires continuous engagement and attention from both supporters and detractors to remain relevant and elevated in the literary world. Without challenge or support, a book's recognition is likely to decline.
In practice
In a discussion about literary criticism, one might reference this quote to highlight the necessity of diverse opinions in literature.
To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.
Fly-fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
May you listen to the voice within the beat even when you are tired. When you feel yourself breaking down, may you break open instead. May every experience in life be a door that opens your heart, expands your understanding and leads you to freedom.
Simplicity is the key to brilliance.
Good breeding is the result of good sense, some good nature, and a little self-denial for the sake of others.
To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, welcome, to accept.
There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.
When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.
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