The whole power of cunning is ...

The whole power of cunning is privative; to say nothing, and to do nothing , is the utmost of its reach. Yet men, thus narrow by nature and mean by art, are sometimes able to rise by the miscarriages of bravery and the openness of integrity, and, watching failures and snatching opportunities, obtain advantages which belong to higher characters.
The whole power of cunning is privative; to say nothing, and to do nothing , is the utmost of its reach. Yet men, thus narrow by nature and mean by art, are sometimes able to rise by the miscarriages of bravery and the openness of integrity, and, watching failures and snatching opportunities, obtain advantages which belong to higher characters.
 Samuel Johnson

Quotes from the same author

If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.
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 Samuel Johnson
To keep your secret is wisdom; but to expect others to keep it is folly.
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 Samuel Johnson
Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise.
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 Samuel Johnson
Memory is the mother of all wisdom.
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 Samuel Johnson
Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions.
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 Samuel Johnson