Quotes from Samuel Johnson

ADVENIENT  (ADVE'NIENT)   adj.[adveniens, Lat.]Advening; coming from outward causes; superadded.

ADVENTINE  (ADVE'NTINE)   adj.[from advenio, adventum.]Adventitious; that which is extrinsically added; that which comes from outward causes: a word scarcely in use. As for the peregrine heat, it is thus far true, that, if the proportion of the adventine heat be greatly predominant to the natural heat and spirits of the body, it tendeth to dissolution or notable alteration.Bacon'sNatural History,No 836.

Depend on it, I will defend this little citadel to the utmost.

The actuality of these spiritual qualities is thus imprisoned, though their potentiality be not quite destroyed; and thus a crass, extended, impenetrable, passive, divisible, unintelligent substance is generated, which we call matter.Cheyn.Phil. Prin.

APOPHTHEGM  (A'POPHTHEGM)   n.s. remarkable saying; a valuable maxim uttered on some sudden occasion.

ANIENTED  (A'NIENTED)   adj.[anneantir, Fr.]Frustrated; brought to nothing.

He now found that it would be very difficult to effect that which it was very easy to suppose effected.

but the gradual growth of our own wickedness, endeared by interest, and palliated by all the artifices of self-deceit, gives us time to form distinctions in our own favour, and reason by degrees submits to absurdity, as the eye is in time accommodated to darkness.

His wish still continued, but his hope grew less.

ADVENTITIOUS  (ADVENTI'TIOUS)   adj.[adventitius, Lat.]That which advenes; accidental; supervenient; extrinsically added, not essentially inherent.

He that is pleased with himself easily imagines that he shall please others. - On Alexander Pope

He was dull in a new way, and that made many people think him great.

may, notwithstanding, be questioned whether, except his bible, he ever read a book entirely through. Late in life, if any man praised a book in his presence, he was sure to ask, "Did you read it through?" If the answer was in the affirmative, he did not seem willing to believe it.

Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own.

Self-confidence if the first requisite to great unertakings. - On Alexander Pope

I was not born for courts or great affairs;I pay my debts, believe, and say my prayers.Pope.

Nothing is more hopeless than a scheme of merriment.

His comprehension is vast, his memory capacious and retentive, his discourse is methodical, and his expression clear.

To me,' said the Princess, 'the choice of life is become less important; I hope hereafter to think only on the choice of eternity.

ANSWER-JOBBER  (A'NSWER-JOBBER)   n.s.[from answer and jobber.]He that makes a trade of writing answers. What disgusts me from having any thing to do with answer-jobbers, is, that they have no conscience.Swift.

Sir," said Imlac, "my history will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by events.

ANIMOSITY  (ANIMO'SITY)   n.s.[animositas, Lat.] Vehemence of hatred; passionate malignity. It implies rather the disposition to break out into outrages, than the outrage itself. They were sure to bring passion

I could produce innumerable instances from my own memory and observation, of events imputed to the profound skill and address of a minister, which, in reality, were either mere effects of negligence, weakness, humour, passion, or pride, or, at best, but the natural course of things left to themselves.Swift'sThoughts on the present Posture of Affairs.5. Manner

He who forms his opinion of himself in solitude, without knowing the powers of other men, is very liable to error. - On Alexander Pope