"It is a steadfast truth that where compassion abides, fear and resentment lose their dominion."

Failure

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Insight & Reflection

This reflection on failure by Samuel Johnson resonates across generations. It highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: our continuous search for meaning in failure is what ultimately defines our character and our path forward.

About Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson, often called Dr Johnson, was an English writer and polymath who made lasting contributions as a poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, literary critic, sermonist, biographer, editor, and lexicographer. The work for which he is best known is his 42,733-entry Dictionary of the English Language (1755). For this and other contributions in and to the English language, the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has called him "arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history".

More quotes by Samuel Johnson  ’
Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Samuel Johnson

"A life without philosophical reflection is a vessel adrift on an uncharted sea. Reflect upon this whenever doubt clouds your horizon."

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"Breathe deeply, anchor your attention in this breath, and let the storm pass. Let this simple maxim guide your daily deeds."

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"Wisdom is the quiet art of recognizing what can be changed and releasing what cannot. Such is the immutable nature of understanding — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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More about Failure

"History shows that, more often than not, loss of sovereignty leads to liberalisation imposed in the interests of the powerful."

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"There's no quick or magical way to lose weight. You just have to do it the natural way - diet and exercise and stick to it - and be able to do it at your own pace."

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