Those writers who lie on the watch for novelty can have little hope of greatness; for great things cannot have escaped former observation.
Interpretation
Originality in writing comes from observing and reflecting on established ideas rather than chasing trends.
Samuel Johnson suggests that writers who constantly seek novelty may overlook the profound truths and insights that have already been discovered. True greatness in writing arises from the ability to see and articulate what has been previously observed, rather than just trying to be different for the sake of it. This emphasizes the value of depth over superficiality in creative endeavors.
In practice
A writer could use this quote in a workshop on creative writing to inspire originality.
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.
And I know now that all the time I was trying to get out of the dust, the fact is, what I am, I am because of the dust. And what I am is good enough. Even for me.
The white fathers told us: I think, therefore I am. The black goddess within each of us - the poet - whispers in our dreams: I feel, therefore I can be free.
If you wish for light, Be ready to receive light.
You know what the Quran teaches me? The Quran teaches me that an incredibly wealthy man can be a failure (Firaun) and a homeless man can be successful (Prophet Ibrahim). It teaches me that success has nothing to do with wealth and failure has nothing to do with poverty.
If you count the sunny and the cloudy days of the whole year, you will find that the sunshine predominates.
The most important thing is insight, that is to be - curious - to wonder, to mull, and to muse why it is that man does what he does.
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