Confidence is a plant of slow growth; especially in an aged bosom
Interpretation
Confidence takes time to develop, particularly in older individuals.
This quote by Samuel Johnson suggests that confidence is not something that can be acquired quickly; rather, it requires time and experience to cultivate, especially in older people who may have become more reserved or skeptical due to past experiences. It highlights the notion that personal growth and self-assurance often come gradually, as one engages with life's challenges and learns about themselves.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming self-doubt.
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.
No amount of ability is of the slightest avail without honor.
Those who occupy their minds with small matters, generally become incapable of greatness.
I am poor and naked, but I am the chief of the nation. We do not want riches but we do want to train our children right. Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world. We do not want riches. We want peace and love.
I hope that if you are employed full-time, you are doing it to ensure that basic needs are met and not simply to indulge a taste for an elaborate home, fancy cars, and other luxuries.
I have also seen children successfully surmounting the effects of an evil inheritance. That is due to purity being an inherent attribute of the soul.
Patience and tenacity are worth more than twice their weight of cleverness.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.