All is not gold that glitters, as we have often been told; and the adage is verified in your place and my favour; but if what happens does not make us richer, we must bid it welcome, if it makes us wiser.
Interpretation
Not everything that seems valuable is actually so; true wealth lies in wisdom gained through experience.
This quote emphasizes that appearances can be deceptive, and not everything that sparkles holds true value. Samuel Johnson suggests that rather than focusing solely on material gain, we should appreciate experiences that enrich our wisdom, as this is the true wealth that life can offer.
In practice
In a discussion about materialism, one might say, 'Remember, all is not gold that glitters; true value lies in our experiences.'
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 man who doesn’t make up his mind to cultivate the habit of thinking misses the greatest pleasure in life.
To be simple is the best thing in the world.
Be patient, even if every possibility seems closed.
...The sage, traveling all day, Does not lose sight of his baggage. Though there are beautiful things to be seen, He remains unattached and calm.
Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm.
If you want to give light to others you have to glow yourself.
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