A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but, one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the insignificance of minor irritations in the face of greater strength or stature.
In this quote, Samuel Johnson emphasizes that small annoyances or challenges, represented by the fly, may provoke a reaction from those who are much more significant or powerful, symbolized by the stately horse. Despite the momentary discomfort caused by the fly, it does not change the essential nature or status of the horse, illustrating that true strength remains untainted by trivial adversities.
In practice
In a speech about handling criticism, one might use this quote to illustrate that minor criticisms don't define a person's worth.
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.
The principal thing in the world is to keep the soul aloft.
He who imagines he can do without the world deceives himself much; but he who fancies the world cannot do without him is still more mistaken.
We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds... A nation of men will for the first time exist, because each believes himself inspired by the Divine Soul which also inspires all men.
Ownership is the most intimate relationship that one can have to objects. Not that they come alive in him; it is he who lives in them.
The worst thing that can happen in a democracy - as well as in an individual's life - is to become cynical about the future and lose hope.
Not long ago I learned from a certain person in considerable detail about the worthlessness of your character. All the same, it is you who have given me strength, you who have put the rainbow of revolution in my breast. It is you who have given an object to my life.
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