Other related topics at: All In Your Mind 376. Reason; Truth "Reason and truth will prevail at last." Johnson: Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland Link 1,281. Reason "To proceed from one truth to another, and connect distant propositions by regular consequences, is the great prerogative of man." Johnson: Rambler #158 (September 21, 1751) Link 1,316. Madness; Reason "There is no state more contrary to the dignity of wisdom than perpetual and unlimited dependance, in which the understanding lies useless, and every motion is received from external impulse. Reason is the great distinction of human nature, the faculty by which we approach the same degree of association with celestial intelligences; but as the excellence of every power appears only in its operations, not to have reason, and to have it unemployed is nearly the same." Johnson: Rambler #162 (October 5, 1751) Link 1,669. Reason; Ritual "Fancy is a faculty bestowed by our Creator, and it is reasonable that all his gifts should be used to his glory, that all our faculties should co-operate in his worship; but they are to co-operate according to the will of him that gave them, according to the order which his wisdom has established. As ceremonies prudential or convenient are less obligatory than positive ordinances, as bodily worship is only the token to others or ourselves of mental adoration, so Fancy is always to act in subordination to Reason. We may take Fancy for a companion, but must follow Reason as our guide. We may allow Fancy to suggest certain ideas in certain places; but Reason must always be heard, when she tells us, that those ideas and those places have no natural or necessary relation. When we enter a church we habitually recall to mind the duty of adoration, but we must not omit adoration for want of a temple; because we know, and ought to remember, that the Universal Lord is every where present; and that, therefore, to come to Jona,or to Jerusalem, though it may be useful, cannot be necessary." Johnson: Letter to James Boswell Link 1,829. Corruption; Reason; Temptation "Reason has no authority over us, but by its power to warn us against evil." Johnson: Idler #89 (December 29, 1759) Link