No man ever yet became great by imitation. Whatever hopes for the veneration of mankind must have invention in the design or the execution; either the effect must itself be new, or the means by which it is produced. Either truths hitherto unknown must be discovered, or those which are already known enforced by stronger […]
Samuel Johnson Quotes
Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.
The imitator treads a beaten walk, and with all his diligence can only find a few flowers or branches untouched by his predecessor, the refuse of contempt, or the omissions of negligence.
Imagination, a licentious and vagrant faculty, unsusceptible of limitations and impatient of restraint, has always endeavoured to baffle the logician, to perplex the confines of distinction, and burst the enclosures of regularity.
Were it not for imagination, a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as a dutchess.
Imagination selects ideas from the treasures of remembrance, and produces novelty only by varied combinations.
He that voluntarily continues in ignorance, is guilty of all the crimes which ignorance produces.
Ignorance cannot always be inferred from inaccuracy; knowledge is not always present.
Ignorance or dullness have indeed no power of affording delight, but they never give disgust except when they assume the dignity of knowledge, or ape the sprightliness of wit.
Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal; and he may be properly charged with evil who refused to learn how he might prevent it.
