Sober since 1784...
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Sober since 1784...
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
Samuel Johnson, J. Boswell "The Life of Samuel Johnson", 1784
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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."
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."
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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.
Don't worry about the derailment - the whole thing fascinates me, especially the confidence of his reply.
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 464
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
Boswell: Life
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 561
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
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
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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I liked this one!!
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.
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Originally Posted by bahookie
Found this:
Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
Saint Augustine
Born 354
Died 430
J
xxx
Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
Saint Augustine
Born 354
Died 430
J
xxx
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