There is, indeed, nothing that so much seduces reason from vigilance, as the thought of passing life with an amiable woman.
Interpretation
The thought of being with a charming partner can distract us from being cautious and rational.
In this quote, Samuel Johnson reflects on how the allure of a pleasant and attractive partner can lead us to let our guard down and perhaps overlook important considerations in life. It suggests that the emotional ties we form can sometimes cloud our judgment, highlighting the powerful impact relationships have on our reasoning and decision-making.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about the influence of romantic relationships on decision-making.
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.
Wilbur didn't want food, he wanted love.
Love gives life to the lifeless. Love lights a flame in the heart that is cold. Love brings hope to the hopeless and gladdens the hearts of the sorrowful. In the world of existence there is indeed no greater power than the power of love
If I could for a moment just inspire you to love yourself, that would be worth EVERYTHING
Where do you draw the line, between love and greed? We never did know, we always wanted more. We want to take it all in, for one last time, we want to eat the world with our eyes.
He who desires to see the living God face-to-face should not seek him in the empty, firmament of his mind, but in human love.
Isn't it grand, isn't it good, that language has only one word for everything we associate with love - from utter sanctity to the most fleshly lust? The result is perfect clarity in ambiguity, for love cannot be disembodied even in its most sanctified forms, nor is it without sanctity even at its most fleshly. Love is always simply itself, both as a subtle affirmation of life and as the highest passion; love is our sympathy with organic life.
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