Sober since 1784... - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

equus · 03-25-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Sir, I have no objection to a man's drinking wine, if he can do it in moderation. I found myself apt to go to excess in it, and therefore, after having been for some time without it, on account of illness, I thought it better not to return to it. Every man is to judge for himself, according to the effects which he experiences.
Samuel Johnson, J. Boswell "The Life of Samuel Johnson", 1784

It's funny I don't think I've ever seen recovering from alcoholism in history talked about here, I wonder how much more there is? I think I might like to read that book!

minnie · 03-25-2006, 02:45 PM

Samuel Johnson is who we have to thank for the dictionary, I believe.

Although, I can't think of him without thinking of that Blackadder episode.

Baldrick: I've done "C" and "D".
Blackadder: Right. Let's have it, then.
Baldrick: Right. "Big blue wobbly thing that mermaids live in."
Blackadder: What's that?
Baldrick: "C".
Blackadder: Yes. Tiny misunderstanding. Still, my hopes weren't high. Oh, and what about "D"?
Baldrick: I'm quite pleased with "dog".
Blackadder: Yes, and your defintion of "dog" is?
Baldrick: "Not a cat."

minnie · 03-25-2006, 02:46 PM

Sorry!!! Gosh, I must get this thread derailment habit of mine under control.

equus · 03-25-2006, 04:23 PM

Yes he was. He was a major if not the major authour of the back end of the 18th century!

Don't worry about the derailment - the whole thing fascinates me, especially the confidence of his reply.

susane1408 · 03-25-2006, 04:42 PM

I think you'll apreciate his wit Equus and his way with language.
His book of insults is something too!

susane1408 · 03-25-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Talking of drinking wine, he said, "I did not leave off wine because I could not bear it; I have drunk three bottles of port without being the worse for it. University College has witnessed this." Boswell: "Why then, Sir, did you leave it off?" Johnson: "Why, Sir, because it is so much better for a man to be sure that he is never intoxicated, never to lose the power over himself."
Boswell: Life

He had much to say on many subjects; and much to overcome in his life

Five · 03-27-2006, 01:07 AM

Apparently he was a drunken lunatic - and everyone loved him for it. He was a meloncholic character, and a total dipsomaniac.

But, alas, he got off it. Peele done an article on him me thinks.

bahookie · 03-27-2006, 02:14 AM

Yay - one of my faves!

He had a lot to say about a lot of things - but here is a wee treasure trove of drinking quotes from him

http://www.samueljohnson.com/drinking.html

Enjoy

J
xxx

equus · 03-27-2006, 04:28 AM

I liked this one!!

Quote:

Talking of a man's resolving to deny himself the use of wine, from moral and religious considerations, he said, "He must not doubt about it. When one doubts as to pleasure, we know what will be the conclusion. I now no more think of drinking wine, than a horse does. The wine upon the table is no more for me, than for the dog that is under the table.

Five · 03-27-2006, 06:02 AM

brilliant stuff eq.

bahookie · 03-27-2006, 08:14 AM

Found this:

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
Saint Augustine

Born 354
Died 430

J
xxx

Five · 03-27-2006, 08:21 AM

yes-yes. Excellent bahokie.

equus · 03-27-2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bahookie

Found this:

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
Saint Augustine

Born 354
Died 430

J
xxx

I think of 500 years as an adequate perspective - and a millenium or more even better!! I think it humbles and encourages our ideas.

Five · 03-28-2006, 12:40 AM

I think sobriety and recovery and moderate lifestyles are pretty universal. Everyone I know is trying to quit something they cant quit.

03-25-2006, 04:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
susane1408 * Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lincolnshire, England Posts: 461	I think you'll apreciate his wit Equus and his way with language. His book of insults is something too! __________________ "All we have to do is to decide what to do with the time that is given to us"....................JRR Tolkien

03-27-2006, 02:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
bahookie Binge poster Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 559	Yay - one of my faves! He had a lot to say about a lot of things - but here is a wee treasure trove of drinking quotes from him http://www.samueljohnson.com/drinking.html Enjoy J xxx __________________

03-27-2006, 08:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
bahookie Binge poster Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland Posts: 559	sober since 430-ish Found this: Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation. Saint Augustine Born 354 Died 430 J xxx __________________

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03-25-2006, 02:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
minnie Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: England Posts: 3,417	Samuel Johnson is who we have to thank for the dictionary, I believe. Although, I can't think of him without thinking of that Blackadder episode. Baldrick: I've done "C" and "D". Blackadder: Right. Let's have it, then. Baldrick: Right. "Big blue wobbly thing that mermaids live in." Blackadder: What's that? Baldrick: "C". Blackadder: Yes. Tiny misunderstanding. Still, my hopes weren't high. Oh, and what about "D"? Baldrick: I'm quite pleased with "dog". Blackadder: Yes, and your defintion of "dog" is? Baldrick: "Not a cat."

03-25-2006, 02:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
minnie Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: England Posts: 3,417	Sorry!!! Gosh, I must get this thread derailment habit of mine under control.

03-25-2006, 04:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
equus Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: uk Posts: 3,056	Yes he was. He was a major if not the major authour of the back end of the 18th century! Don't worry about the derailment - the whole thing fascinates me, especially the confidence of his reply.

03-27-2006, 01:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
Five Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,232	Apparently he was a drunken lunatic - and everyone loved him for it. He was a meloncholic character, and a total dipsomaniac. But, alas, he got off it. Peele done an article on him me thinks.

03-27-2006, 06:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
Five Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,232	brilliant stuff eq.

03-27-2006, 08:21 AM	#12 (permalink)
Five Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,232	yes-yes. Excellent bahokie.

03-28-2006, 12:40 AM	#14 (permalink)
Five Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,232	I think sobriety and recovery and moderate lifestyles are pretty universal. Everyone I know is trying to quit something they cant quit.

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