He left the name at which the world grew pale, To point a moral, or adorn a tale.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This suggests a person became so infamous that their name is used as a cautionary example or story element.
- In plain terms
- Someone became so famous for bad reasons they are used in stories to teach lessons.
- What can you take from it?
- Infamy can make a name memorable for negative reasons.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What kind of legacy do you want?
- Who is remembered for wrong reasons?
Another view
Some infamous figures are remembered more for myth than fact.
More from Samuel Johnson
A frame of adamant, a soul of fire, No dangers fright him, and no labors tire.
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Permalink to quote #38 Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes, And pause a while from learning to be wise. There mark what ills the scholar's life assail - Toil, envy, want, t…
Permalink to quote #35
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