"A man is very apt to complain of the ingratitude of those who have risen far above him. A man when he gets into a higher sphere, into other habits of life, cannot keep up all his former connections. Then, Sir, those who knew him formerly upon a level with themselves, may think that they ought still to be treated as on a level, which cannot be; and an acquaintance in a former situation may bring out things which it would be very disagreeable to have mentioned before higher company, though, perhaps, everybody knows of them."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Essayists from EnglandPoets from EnglandPlaywrights from EnglandLexicographersLinguists from England
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
(28 March 1776) p. 296
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Samuel_Johnson
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Samuel Johnson
1709 – 1784
englischer Gelehrter, Schriftsteller, Kritiker und Lexikograph
358 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Samuel Johnson →
Related Quotes
"Il faut prêcher d'exemple."
"Fitted him to a T."
"The endearing elegance of female friendship."
"Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate?"
"For patience, sov'reign o'er transmuted ill."
"A jest breaks no bones."
"With these celestial Wisdom calms the mind, And makes the happiness she does not find."
"Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful."
"Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed."
"This singularity of his humour made him much observed."