No man can perform so little as not to have reason to congratulate himself on his merits, when he beholds the multitude that live in total idleness, and have never yet endeavoured to be useful.
Interpretation
Everyone has something to take pride in when compared to those who do nothing.
This quote by Samuel Johnson reflects on the human tendency to seek self-approval by recognizing one's efforts in contrast to those who choose to remain inactive. It suggests that even minimal efforts towards usefulness can provide a source of self-congratulation, especially when observing the many who do not strive to contribute or improve themselves.
In practice
This quote could be used in a motivational speech about taking action and embracing productivity.
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.
Our minds are like our stomaches; they are whetted by the change of their food, and variety supplies both with fresh appetite.
No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.
A terrace nine stories high begins with a pile of earth.
The relation of patience to iman is like the relation of the head to the body. If the head is chopped off, the body becomes useless. Then he raised his voice and said: Certainly, the one who has no patience has no iman, and patience is like a riding-beast that nevers gets tired
Never consider whether you are of use; but ever consider that you are not your own but His.
Be above it! Make the world serve your purpose, but do not serve it.
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