"If useless thoughts could be expelled from the mind, all the valuable parts of our knowledge would more frequently recur, and every recurrence would reinstate them in their former place."
— Johnson, Samuel (1709-1784)
Author
Work Title
Date
September 1, 1759.
Metaphor
"If useless thoughts could be expelled from the mind, all the valuable parts of our knowledge would more frequently recur, and every recurrence would reinstate them in their former place."
Metaphor in Context
Forgetfulness is necessary to remembrance. Ideas are retained by renovation of that impression which time is always wearing away, and which new images are striving to obliterate. If useless thoughts could be expelled from the mind, all the valuable parts of our knowledge would more frequently recur, and every recurrence would reinstate them in their former place.
Categories
Provenance
Reading at The Yale Digital Edition of the Works of Samuel Johnson.
Citation
Samuel Johnson, The Idler and The Adventurer, vol. 2 of The Works of Samuel Johnson (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1963). <Link to www.yalejohnson.com>
Date of Entry
04/17/2018
