1,451. Change; Maturity "Whoever reviews the state of his own mind from the dawn of manhood to its decline, and considers what he pursued or dreaded, slighted or esteemed, at different periods of his age, will have no reason to imagine such changes of sentiment peculiar to any station or character. Every man, however careless and inattentive, has conviction forced upon him: the lectures of time obtrude themselves upon the most unwilling or dissipated auditor; and, by comparing our past with our present thoughts, we perceive that we have changed our minds, though perhaps we cannot discover when the alteration happened, or by what cause it was produced." Johnson: Rambler #196 (February 1, 1752) Link 1,575. Change; Life; Satisfaction "Such ... is the state of life, that none are happy but by the anticipation of change; the change itself is nothing; when we have made it, the next wish is to change again." Johnson: Rasselas (said by the Princess Nekayeh) Note: If you haven't read it yet, please read this note of caution regarding quotes from Rasselas. Link 1,582. Change; Tolerance "We have less reason to be surprised or offended when we find others differ from us in opinion, because we very often differ from ourselves. How often we alter our minds, we do not always remark; because the change is sometimes made imperceptibly and gradually, and the last conviction effaces all memory of the former: yet every man, accustomed from time to time to take a survey of his own notions, will by a slight retrospection be able to discover, that his mind has suffered many revolutions; that the same things have in the several parts of his life been condemned and approved, pursued and shunned: and that on many occasions, even when his practice has been steady, his mind has been wavering, and he has persisted in a scheme of action, rather because he feared the censure of inconstancy, than because he was always pleased with his own choice." Johnson: Adventurer #107 (November 13, 1753) Link 1,802. Change "In every change there will be many that suffer real or imaginary grievances, and therefore many will be disillusioned." Johnson: An Introduction to the Political State of Great Britain Link 1,805. Change; Progress "Where no man thinks himself under any obligation to submit to another, and, instead of co-operating in one great scheme, every one hastens through by-paths to private profit, no great change can suddenly be made; nor is superior knowledge of much effect, where every man resolves to use his own eyes and his own judgment, and every one applauds his own dexterity and diligence, in proportion as he becomes rich sooner than his neighbour." Johnson: Introduction to the Political State of Great Britain Link 1,832. Change; Custom "Customs are not to be changed but for better. Let those who desire to reform us, shew the benefits of the change proposed." Johnson: Idler #90 (January 5, 1760) Link