Such is the state of every age, every sex, and every condition: all have their cares, either from nature or from folly; and whoever, therefore, finds himself inclined to envy another, should remember that he knows not the real condition which he desires to obtain, but is certain that by indulging a vicious passion, he must lessen that happiness which he thinks already too sparingly bestowed.
Interpretation
Envy can cloud our judgment and lead to unhappiness, as we often don't know the true circumstances of others.
This quote by Samuel Johnson highlights the universal experience of human cares and concerns, acknowledging that everyone, regardless of their position in life, faces their own struggles. Johnson warns against the destructive nature of envy, suggesting that those who are envious should recognize that they lack an understanding of another's true situation. Instead of letting envy diminish our own happiness, we should seek to understand and appreciate our own circumstances.
In practice
In a motivational speech about self-acceptance.
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.
Faith in ourselves will do everything. I have experienced it in my own life, and am still doing so; and as I grow older that faith is becoming stronger and stronger. He is an atheist who does not believe in himself. The old religions said that he was an atheist who did not believe in God. The new religion says that he is the atheist who does not believe in himself
Those who are wise won't be busy, and those who are too busy can't be wise.
Some men storm imaginary Alps all their lives, and die in the foothills cursing difficulties which do not exist.
It's helpful to remind yourself that meditation is about opening and relaxing with whatever arises, without picking and choosing.
I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.
People often remark that I'm pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right moment. After that, you've got to have talent and know how to use it.
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