Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument.
Interpretation
Prejudice is irrational and cannot be changed through logical discussion.
Samuel Johnson's quote emphasizes the irrational nature of prejudice, suggesting that since it is not based on reason or evidence, simply engaging in argument or logical discourse will not be effective in changing a prejudiced mindset. This points to the deeper emotional and social roots of prejudice, highlighting the need for a more profound transformation in beliefs rather than just intellectual debate.
In practice
During a discussion on social justice, one might quote this to emphasize the challenges of changing deeply held biases.
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.
Pain and suffering are in themselves bad and should be prevented or minimized, irrespective of the race, sex, or species of the being that suffers. How bad a pain is depends on how intense it is and how long it lasts, but pain of the same intensity and duration are equally bad, whether felt by humans or animals.
The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings.
This is the Great Theatre of Life. Admission is free, but the taxation is mortal. You come when you can, and leave when you must. The show is continuous. Goodnight.
Mind is nothing but dreams and dreams - dreams of the past, dreams of the future, dreams of how things should be, dreams of great ambitions, achievements. Dreams and desires, that is the stuff mind is made of. But it surrounds you like a China Wall. And because of it the fish remains unaware of the ocean.
Clearly, then, the city is not a concrete jungle, it is a human zoo.
License they mean when they cry Liberty; For who loves that, must first be wise and good.
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