No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a public library.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Libraries show how many hopeful plans end in unused books.
- In plain terms
- Libraries show how many plans are made but never used.
- What can you take from it?
- Look at libraries to see the limits of ambition.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What books did you promise to read?
- How many projects do you leave unfinished?
Another view
It ignores that libraries also hold completed knowledge and community value.
More from Samuel Johnson
No man is much pleased with a companion, who does not increase, in some respect, his fondness for himself.
Permalink to quote #53 Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.
Permalink to quote #55 Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.
Permalink to quote #52
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