I have already enjoyed too much; give me something to desire.
Interpretation
Desires bring fulfillment; too much enjoyment can lead to stagnation.
Samuel Johnson reflects on the idea that constant satisfaction can lead to a lack of motivation or desire in life. Without something to strive for or look forward to, even the most enjoyable experiences can become unfulfilling, emphasizing the importance of desire and aspiration in maintaining happiness and engagement.
In practice
This quote could be shared during a motivational speech to inspire listeners to pursue their dreams.
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.
All human history attests That happiness for man, - the hungry sinner! - Since Eve ate apples, much depends on dinner. ~Lord Byron, Don Juan, Canto XIII, stanza 99
Happiness is an expression of the soul in considered actions.
The right to happiness is fundamental; men live so little time and die alone.
Many people think that if they were only in some other place, or had some other job, they would be happy. Well, that is doubtful. So get as much happiness out of what you are doing as you can and don't put off being happy until some future date.
Happiness means nothing to me. I just want to have meaning and purpose.
The more we allow ourselves to enjoy, the more reasons we find to be joyful.
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