Hope itself is a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords; but, like all other pleasures immoderately enjoyed, the excesses of hope must be expiated by pain.
Interpretation
Hope can bring happiness, but if it's overindulged, it can lead to suffering.
In this quote, Samuel Johnson reflects on the nature of hope and its relationship to happiness. He suggests that hope is a significant source of happiness in the world, yet warns that when hope is pursued to an excessive degree, it can lead to disappointment and pain; thus, the enjoyment of hope should be balanced to avoid negative consequences.
In practice
In a motivational speech about resilience and managing expectations.
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.
Happiness consists in activity. It is a running stream, not a stagnant pool.
So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. We can't direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.
There can be no peace for us, only misery, and the greatest happiness.
Happiness is a hard master, particularly other people's happiness.
Embrace your life, count your blessings, and don’t complain about what you don’t have.
Oh, how desperately bored, in spite of their grim determination to have a Good Time, the majority of pleasure-seekers really are!
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