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He that embarks on the voyage of life will always wish to advance rather by the impulse of the wind than the strokes of the oar; and many fold in their passage; while they lie waiting for the gale.
Samuel Johnson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Life's journey is often influenced by external forces rather than our deliberate efforts, leading some to wait for opportunities instead of actively pursuing them.

In this quote, Samuel Johnson reflects on the nature of life as a voyage, where individuals may prefer to rely on favorable circumstances or luck ('the impulse of the wind') rather than exerting their own effort ('the strokes of the oar'). Many people fall into the trap of waiting for the perfect moment or opportunity ('the gale') instead of taking action to move forward, highlighting the tension between passivity and proactivity in our pursuits.

Themes

LifeEffortOpportunityProactivityPassivity

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared during a motivational speech about taking initiative in life.

More from Samuel Johnson

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
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