Posts Tagged 'Samuel Johnson'

Sunday Cryptoquote Spoiler – 02/27/22

The Paris Review - Escaping Samuel Johnson - The Paris Review

Though a man often pleases by inferiority, there are few who desire to give such pleasures.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(Get reading glasses, Sammy!  A lot of the way they spoke/wrote in the 18th Century is beyond my pea-brain’s comprehension.  Is he talking about placating people, to avoid conflict?  Maybe we go through cycles of accepting other’s views, without countering with our own vitriol.  If so, we sure could use an upswing in that cycle.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Cryptoquote Spoiler – 07/31/21

Clever Hans — The Horse That Could Count | by Erik Brown | Lessons from  History | Medium

A horse that can count to ten is a remarkable horse, not a remarkable mathematician.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(A horse is a horse . . . of course, of course!  But a remarkable mathematician probably isn’t as entertaining as the horse that can count to ten.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Sunday Cryptoquote Spoiler – 01/10/21

The Paris Review - Blog Archive Escaping Samuel Johnson - The Paris Review

When calamity has been suffered, the first thing to remember is how much has been escaped.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(Hopefully, there has been something that has escaped the calamity.  I don’t think that Samuel Johnson ever experienced a massive:  hurricane, or tornado, or tsunami.  But, the quote does have a lot of merit.  If you escaped with your life, and the lives of your loved ones, you can survive most calamities.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Cryptoquote Spoiler – 11/10/20

How well do you know Samuel Johnson's dictionary? – quiz | Books | The  Guardian

The love of life is necessary to the vigorous prosecution of any undertaking.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(For this to really make sense you need to know that “prosecution” is an obsolete synonym of pursuit.  I only suspected this, but Merriam-Webster confirmed it for me.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Sunday Cryptoquote Spoiler – 02/23/20

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There are two types of knowledge.  One is knowing a thing.  The other is knowing where to find it.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(Another fine quote from Dr. Johnson!  He had a slew of medical problems during his life, like childhood tuberculosis, deaf in one ear, blind in one eye, testicular cancer, gout and a stroke.  But, he made it to 75, which is pretty good for the 18th Century.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Sunday Cryptoquote Spoiler – 07/08/18

Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(Even critics careers kind of wax and wane.  Rex Reed – who I’ve always liked – put “The Post” at the top of his top ten movie of 2017.  I thought it was a good movie, but it relied on some clichés, and had some revisionist aspects to it that I thought were unnecessary.  And, he put “Get Out” in his 10 worst films of 2017, which I thought was a very entertaining movie.  But, I do agree with most of his picks.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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Sunday Cryptoquote Spoiler – 11/05/17

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We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(I guess it’s either that, or we don’t believe . . . anyone!  Lots of deception is designed to protect us though.  Some of our more delicate psyches can’t handle the truth.  Shame.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Cryptoquote Spoiler – 04/20/16

English: Statue of Dr Samuel Johnson in Market...

English: Statue of Dr Samuel Johnson in Market Square, Lichfield (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the disadvantages of wine is that it makes a man mistake words for thoughts.”   —   Samuel Johnson

English: Bottle of wine.

English: Bottle of wine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Ohhhh, I can certainly attest to that!  Well, to be accurate, there usually are thoughts behind those words.  But, they are thoughts that should be kept to one’s self, and not blurted out at a very public event.  Things like:  I don’t care if you are married, I’d do you any day!  This to the Resident Advisor’s wife, who I had known for over three years.  And, very likely said in very close proximity of the R.A.  The only saving grace is that people recognize the blatherings of a clearly wasted, 145 pound, harmless, nice guy . . . and kind of let you get away with it.  As long as you don’t make a habit of it.  In my case it was actually rum that did me in that night, but I’ve overindulged a few different beverages in my day.  Fortunately, not in quite a while.   Aah, lessons learned.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Cryptoquote Spoiler – 06/20/15

A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(So, what does that say about our society?  Be well . . . be charitable and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

Cryptoquote Spoiler – 05/03/14

Portrait of Samuel Johnson commissioned for He...

Portrait of Samuel Johnson commissioned for Henry Thrale’s Streatham Park gallery (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The two most engaging powers of an author are, to make new things familiar and familiar things new.”   —   Samuel Johnson

(Grumpy looking SOB.  I’d rather look at his lovely wife!  But, I gave her blog-time last Fall.  Very easy solve.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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