Other related topics at: Knowledge/Learning Virtue and Vice 461. Virtue; Wisdom "...as it is always more easy to do evil than good, though the wisdom or virtue of one can very rarely make many happy, the folly or vice of one may often make many miserable." Johnson: Rasselas [Princess Nekayah] Note: If you haven't read it yet, please read this note of caution regarding quotes from Rasselas. Link 873. Value; Virtue; Wisdom "It is ... the business of wisdom and virtue to select, among numberless objects striving for our notice, such as may enable us to exalt our reason, extend our views, and secure our happiness. But this choice is to be made with very little regard to rareness or frequency; for nothing is valuable merely because it is either rare or common, but because it is adapted to some useful purpose, and enables us to supply some deficiency of our natures." Johnson: Rambler #78 (December 15, 1750) Link 1,005. Superficiality; Wisdom "It very commonly happens that speculation has no influence on conduct. Just conclusions and cogent arguments, formed by laborious study and diligent inquiry, are often reposited in the treasuries of memory, as gold in the miser's chest, useless alike to others and to himself. As some are not richer for the extent of their possessions, others are not wiser for the multitude of their ideas." Johnson: Rambler #98 (February 23, 1751) Link 1,726. Wisdom "When an opinion to which there is no temptation of interest spreads wide and continues long, it may be reasonably presumed to have been infused by nature, or dictated by reason." Johnson: Idler #52 (April 14, 1759) Link 1,841. Quality; Wisdom "Every man wishes to be wise; and they who cannot be wise are almost always cunning." Johnson: Idler #92 (January 19, 1760) Link 1,842. Wisdom "Cunning differs from wisdom as twilight from open day. He that walks in the sunshine goes boldly forward by the nearest way; he sees that where the path is straight and even he may proceed in security, and where it is rough anc crooked he easily complies with the turns, and avoids the obstructions. But the traveller in the dusk fears more as he sees less; he knows there may be danger, and therefore suspects that he is never safe, tries every step before he fixes his foot, and shrinks at every noise lest violence should approach him." Johnson: Idler #92 (January 19, 1760) Link