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The Beauties of Samuel Johnson; Maxims and Observations. to Which Are Now Added, Biographical Anecdotes of the Doctor, His Life
The Beauties of Samuel Johnson Maxims and Observations to Which Are Now Added Biographical Anecdotes of the Doctor His Life Author:Samuel Johnson General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1804 Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million book... more »s for free. Excerpt: IGNORANCE. The man who feels himself ignorant, should at least be modest. Preliminary Difcourse to the London Chronicle, p. 156. i i Ignorance cannot always be inferred from inaccuracy ; knowledge is not always present. Notes upon Shakespeare, vol. 6, p. tor. Gross ignorance every man has found equally dangerous with perverted knowledge. Men left whollyto their appetites and their instincts, with little sense of moral or religious obligation, and with very faint distinctions of right and wrong, can never be safely employed, or confidently trusted. They can be honest only by obstinacy, and diligent only by compulsion or caprice. Some instruction, therefore, is necessary; and much, perhaps, may be dangerous. Review of the Origin of Evil, p. it. Ignorance is most easily kept in subjection : by enlightening the mind, with truth, fraud and usurpation would be made less practicable and iess secure. Introduction to the World Difplayed, p. 180, IGNORANCE, (Compared with Knowledge) The expectation of ignorance is indefinite, and that of knowledge often tyrannical. It is hard to satisfy those who know not what to demand, or thqse who demand, by design, what they think impossible to be done. Preface to Shakspeare, p. 68. : '.. - IGNORANCE. IGNORANCE, (Compared with Confidence.) In things difficult there is danger from ignorance ; iu things easy, from confidence. Preface to Dictionary, fol. p. j, IMPRUDENCE. Those who, in consequence of superior capacities and attainments, disregard the common maxims of life, ought to be reminded, that nothing; will supply the want of prudence; and that negligen...« less