591. Example
"As justice requires that all injuries should be repaired, it is
the duty of him who has seduced others, by bad practice or false
notions, to endeavour that such as have adopted his errors should
know his retraction, and that those who have learned vice by his
example should, by his example, be taught amendment."
Johnson: Rambler #31 (June 30, 1750)
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1,197. Example; Pioneers
"It is impossible to take a view on any side, or observe any of
the various classes that form the great community of the world,
without discovering the influence of example, and admiring with
new conviction the observations of Aristotle, that man is an
imitative being. The greater, far the greater number, follow
the track which others have beaten, without any curiosity after
new discoveries, or ambition of trusting themselves to their own
conduct. And, of those who break the ranks and disorder the
uniformity of the march, most return in a short time from their
deviation, and prefer the equal and steady satisfaction of
security before the frolics of caprice and the honours of
adventure."
Johnson: Rambler #135 (July 2, 1751)
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1,199. Example; Pioneers
"Very few have abilities requisite for the discovery of abstruse
truth; and of those few, some want leisure, and some resolution.
But it is not so easy to find the reason of the universal
submission to precedent where every man might safely judge for
himself; where no irreparable loss can hazarded, nor any mischief
of long continuance incurred. Vanity might be expected to
operate where the more powerful passions are not awakened; the
mere pleasure of acknowledging no superior might produce slight
singularities, or the hope of gaining some new degree of
happiness awaken the mind to invention or experiment."
Johnson: Rambler #135 (July 2, 1751)
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