Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.
Interpretation
Composition requires consistent effort and focus, often at the expense of more enjoyable distractions.
In this quote, Samuel Johnson emphasizes that the process of composition, whether in writing or art, is predominantly driven by a resolute commitment and determination. It suggests that the creative endeavor is often fraught with challenges and that the mind is constantly tempted to stray toward easier and more pleasurable activities, underscoring the importance of diligence and perseverance in achieving mastery and producing meaningful work.
In practice
Using this quote in a writing workshop to motivate participants to stay focused on their projects.
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.
How you act, walk, look and talk is all part of Hip Hop culture. And the music is colorless. Hip Hop music is made from Black, brown, yellow, red and white.
To me, Godard did to movies what Bob Dylan did to music: they both revolutionized their forms.
Perceptions are portraits, not photographs, and their form reveals the artist’s hand every bit as much as it reflects the things portrayed
Landscape is to American painting what sex and psychoanalysis are to the American novel.
I write because I like to make things and the only things I am good at making things with are words.
Do you drink?" "Of course,I just said I was a writer.
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