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Project Steps
1,484. Completion
"When once our labour has begun, the comfort that enables us to
endure it is the prospect of its end; for though in every long
work there are some joyous intervals of self applause, when the
attention is recreated by unexpected facility, and the
imagination soothed by incidental excellences; yet the toil with
which performance struggles after idea is so irksome and
disgusting, and so frequent is the necessity of resting below the
perfection which we imagined within our reach, that seldom any
man obtains more from his endeavours than a painful conviction of
his defects, and a continual resuscitation of desires which he
feels himself unable to gratify."
Johnson: Rambler #207 (March 10, 1752)
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1,487. Perseverance; Completion
"He that has cultivated the tree, watched the swelling bud and
opening blossom, and pleased himself with computing how much
every sun and shower add to its growth, scarcely stays till the
fruit has obtained its maturity, but defeats his own cares by
eagerness to reward them. When we have diligently laboured for
any purpose, we are willing to believe that we have attained it,
and, because we have already done much, too suddenly conclude
that no more is to be done."
Johnson: Rambler #207 (March 10, 1752)
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1,488. Perseverance; Completion
"All attraction is increased by the approach of the attracting
body. We never find ourselves so desirous to finish as in the
latter part of our work, or so impatient of delay as when we know
that delay cannot be long. This unseasonable importunity of
discontent may be partly imputed to languor and weariness, which
must always oppress those more whose toil has been longer
continued; but the greater part usually proceeds from frequent
contemplation of that ease which is now considered as within
reach, and which, and which, when it has once flattered our
hopes, we cannot suffer to be withheld."
Johnson: Rambler #207 (March 10, 1752)
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1,489. Perseverance; Completion
"Whatever motive first incited action has still greater force to
stimulate perseverance; since he that might have lain still at
first in blameless obscurity cannot afterwards desist but with
infamy and reproach. He, whom a doubtful promise of distant good
could encourage to set difficulties at defiance, ought not to
remit his vigour, when he has almost obtained his recompense. To
faint or loiter, when only the last efforts are required, is to
steer the ship through tempests, and abandon it to the winds in
sight of land; it is to break the ground and scatter the seed,
and at last to neglect the harvest."
Johnson: Rambler #207 (March 10, 1752)
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1,490. Completion
"Nothing is ended with honour which does not conclude better than
it began."
Johnson: Rambler #207 (March 10, 1752)
Link
1,492. Completion
"If the design comprises many parts, equally essential, and
therefore not to be separated, the only time for caution is
before we engage; the powers of the mind must be then impartially
estimated, and it must be remembered, that not to complete the
plan is not to have begun it; and that nothing is done, while any
thing is omitted.
But if the task consists in the repetition of
single acts, no one of which derives its efficacy from the rest,
it may be attempted with less scruple, because there is always
opportunity to retreat with honour."
Johnson: Rambler #207 (March 10, 1752)
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