Those that have done nothing in life, are not qualified to judge of those that have done little
Interpretation
People who have not acted in life lack the legitimacy to criticize those who have taken minor actions.
This quote by Samuel Johnson emphasizes the notion that individuals who have not made any significant efforts or contributions in their own lives do not possess the moral authority to pass judgment on the actions or achievements of others, no matter how small. It underlines the importance of recognizing the efforts of all individuals, as every action counts, and highlights the hypocrisy of critics who have not engaged in similar endeavors themselves.
In practice
During a team meeting, to encourage understanding among peers.
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.
Don't tell your problems to people: eighty percent don't care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them.
If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?
The surgeons' market is imaginary, since there is nothing wrong with women's faces or bodies that social change won't cure; so the surgeons depend for their income on warping female self-perception and multiplying female self-hatred.
Control is illusory. No matter what university you go to, no matter what degree you hold, if your goal is to becomes master of your own destiny, you have more to learn.
Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?
Nobody should be whipped. Remember that, once and for all. Neither man nor animal can be influenced by anything but suggestion.
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