No man can perform so little as not to have reason to congratulate himself on his merits, when he beholds the multitude that live in total idleness, and have never yet endeavoured to be useful.
Interpretation
Everyone has something to take pride in when compared to those who do nothing.
This quote by Samuel Johnson reflects on the human tendency to seek self-approval by recognizing one's efforts in contrast to those who choose to remain inactive. It suggests that even minimal efforts towards usefulness can provide a source of self-congratulation, especially when observing the many who do not strive to contribute or improve themselves.
In practice
This quote could be used in a motivational speech about taking action and embracing productivity.
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.
One of the most responsible things you can do as an adult is to become more of a child.
Don't talk about what you have done or what you are going to do.
Wherever you are is the entry point.
You learn in life that the only person you can really correct and change is yourself.
The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The true dangerous thing is asking the wrong question.
Ideals are like the stars: we never reach them, but like the mariners of the sea, we chart our course by them.
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