There is nothing, Sir, too little for so little a creature as man. It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of appreciating small things to achieve happiness and reduce suffering.
Samuel Johnson's quote highlights the idea that humans, despite their small stature in the grand scheme of the universe, should focus on life's smaller aspects. By paying attention to the details and nuances of our experiences, we can cultivate a life that minimizes grief and maximizes joy, suggesting that true happiness comes from valuing the little things around us.
In practice
During a motivational speech about finding joy, one could use this quote to illustrate the value of small moments.
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.
You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.
Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth.
Would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason.
You can't help it but you were born without a heart. At least you tried to believe what the people with hearts believed — so you were a good man just the same.
To speculate without facts is to attempt to enter a house of which one has not the key, by wandering aimlessly round and round, searching the walls and now and then peeping through the windows. Facts are the key.
All things come round to him who will but wait.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.