Where then shall Hope and Fear their objects find? Must dull Suspense corrupt the stagnant Mind? Must helpless Man, in ignorance sedate, Roll darklin… - Samuel Johnson

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Engraved portrait of Samuel Johnson, facing left

Where then shall Hope and Fear their objects find?
Must dull Suspense corrupt the stagnant Mind?
Must helpless Man, in ignorance sedate,
Roll darkling down the Torrent of his Fate?
Must no Dislike alarm, no Wishes rise,
Nor Cries invoke the Mercies of the Skies?
Enquirer, cease, Petitions yet remain
Which Heaven may hear, nor deem Religion vain.
Still raise for Good the supplicating Voice,
But leave to Heaven the Measure and the Choice.

English
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About Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 [7 September O.S.] – 13 December 1784) was a British author, linguist and lexicographer. He is often referred to as simply Dr. Johnson in the history of literature and is regarded as the greatest man of letters in English history.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, Joshua Reynolds (Public domain / CC0)

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Dr Johnson Dr. Johnson Great Moralist

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No weakness of the human mind has more frequently incurred animadversion, than the negligence with which men overlook their own faults, however flagrant, and the easiness with which they pardon them, however frequently repeated.

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