The happiness of London is not to be conceived but by those who have been in it.
Interpretation
True happiness in London can only be understood by those who have experienced it firsthand.
Samuel Johnson's quote suggests that the joy and essence of London, a vibrant city, can only be fully grasped by individuals who have lived or spent significant time there. It underscores the idea that certain experiences, particularly ones tied to place and culture, can only be truly appreciated through personal involvement rather than mere observation or hearsay.
In practice
During a speech about traveling, one might quote Samuel Johnson to emphasize the importance of experiencing a city personally.
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.
Good humor is the health of the soul, sadness is its poison.
Happy people do not demand a lot from the world because their happiness proceeds from a place deeper than the world can touch.
The rights essential to happiness. . . . We claim them from a higher source - from the King of kings and Lord of all the earth.
Everyday happiness means you can't wait to come home, because the soup is hot.
Happiness does not come from without, it comes from within
Do you really want to be happy? You can begin by being appreciative of who you are and what you've got.
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