“ However, some desire is necessary to keep life in motion; and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy. ”
Samuel Johnson, The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759). copy citation
| Author | Samuel Johnson |
|---|---|
| Source | The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia |
| Topic | desire motion fancy |
| Date | 1759 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/652/652-h/652-h.htm |
Context
“I am unwilling to doubt thy veracity, yet inconsistencies cannot both be true.»
«Inconsistencies,» answered Imlac, «cannot both be right; but, imputed to man, they may both be true. Yet diversity is not inconsistency. My father might expect a time of greater security. However, some desire is necessary to keep life in motion; and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.»
«This,» said the Prince, «I can in some measure conceive. I repent that I interrupted thee.»
«With this hope,» proceeded Imlac, «he sent me to school. But when I had once found the delight of knowledge, and felt the pleasure of intelligence and the pride of invention, I began silently to despise riches, and determined to disappoint the purposes of my father, whose grossness of conception raised my pity.” source
«Inconsistencies,» answered Imlac, «cannot both be right; but, imputed to man, they may both be true. Yet diversity is not inconsistency. My father might expect a time of greater security. However, some desire is necessary to keep life in motion; and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.»
«This,» said the Prince, «I can in some measure conceive. I repent that I interrupted thee.»
«With this hope,» proceeded Imlac, «he sent me to school. But when I had once found the delight of knowledge, and felt the pleasure of intelligence and the pride of invention, I began silently to despise riches, and determined to disappoint the purposes of my father, whose grossness of conception raised my pity.” source
Meaning and analysis
