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James Boswell Quotes - Page 4

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After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed,

After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, "I refute it thus."

James Boswell
Philosophy, Science, Feet
James Boswell (1998). “Life of Johnson”, p.333, Oxford University Press, USA

After I went to bed I had a curious fancy as to dreams. In sleep the doors of the mind are shut, and thoughts come jumping in at the windows. They tumble headlong, and therefore are so disorderly and strange. Sometimes they are stout and light on their feet, and then they are rational dreams.

James Boswell
Dream, Sleep, Thoughtful
James Boswell (2001). “Boswell's Edinburgh Journals 1767-1786”, Mercat Press Books

I argued that the chastity of women was of much more consequence than that of men, as the property and rights of families depend upon it.

James Boswell
Family, Men, Rights
James Boswell (1963). “Boswell: the ominous years, 1774-1776”

I am sensible that my keenness of temper, and a vanity to be distinguished for the day, make me too often splash in life.... I amresolved to restrain myself and attend more to decorum.

James Boswell
Ambition, Vanity, Manners
James Boswell (2001). “Boswell's Edinburgh Journals 1767-1786”, Mercat Press Books

A Sceptick therefore, who because he finds that Truths are not universally received, doubts of their existence, is just as foolish as a man who should try large shoes upon little feet, and little shoes upon large feet, and finding that they did not fit.

James Boswell
Men, Shoes, Feet

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