Criticism, though dignified from the earliest ages by the labours of men eminent for knowledge and sagacity, has not yet attained the certainty and stability of science.
Interpretation
Criticism is valuable yet lacks the reliability of scientific knowledge.
Samuel Johnson's quote highlights the distinction between criticism and scientific knowledge, suggesting that while criticism can be informed and dignified by the works of knowledgeable individuals throughout history, it still falls short of the certainty and stability that science provides. This emphasizes the idea that knowledge is multifaceted and that subjective opinions, no matter how esteemed the critic, cannot match the empirical foundation of scientific inquiry.
In practice
During a lecture on the importance of scientific methods, this quote can be used to emphasize the difference between subjective opinions and scientific facts.
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.
The augmentation of slaves weakens the states; and such a trade is diabolical in itself, and disgraceful to mankind.
The quality of mercy is not strained
Life is an unbroken succession of false situations.
It is the theory of all modern civilized governments that they protect and foster the liberty of the citizen; it is the practice of all of them to limit its exercise, and sometimes very narrowly.
I was dying. Like all the other people who live in this world.
Far more has been accomplished for the welfare and progress of mankind by preventing bad actions than by doing good ones.
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