Mastodawn

Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rules on composition: it produces vigilance rather than elevation, rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often escapes miscarriages but seldom reaches either power or honor. It quenches that ardor of enterprise by which every thing is done that can claim praise or admiration; and represses that generous temerity which often fails and often succeeds. Rules may obviate faults, but can never confer beauties; and prudence keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1759-05-19), The Idler, No. 57

More about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/2133/

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Johnson, Samuel - Essay (1759-05-19), The Idler, No. 57 | WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations

WIST Quotations Has Moved!Jul 28, 2025

A quotation from Shakespeare

ARIEL: While you here do snoring lie,
   Open-eyed conspiracy
      His time doth take.
   If of life you keep a care,
   Shake off slumber and beware.
      Awake, awake!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Tempest, Act 2, sc. 1, l. 344ff (2.1.344-349) (1611)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/shakespeare-william/…

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John Griogair Bell Oct 3, 2024

“The most important thing in the life of any man is to discover the secret purpose of his incarnation, and to follow it with wariness as well as passion; with wisdom, if possible. Astrology has no more useful function that this, to discover the inmost nature of a man, and to bring it out into his consciousness, that he may fulfill it according to the law of light.”

https://library.hrmtc.com/2024/10/03/the-most-important-thing-in-the-life-of-any-man-is-to-discover-the-secret-purpose-of-his-incarnation-and-to-follow-it-with-wariness-as-well-as-passion-with-wisdom-if-possible-astrology-has-no-mo/

"The most important thing in the life of any man is to discover the secret purpose of his incarnation, and to follow it with wariness as well as passion; with wisdom, if possible. Astrology has no more useful function that this, to discover the inmost nature of a man, and to bring it out into his consciousness, that he may fulfill it according to the law of light." - The Hermetic Library Blog

The most important thing in the life of any man is to discover the secret purpose of his incarnation, and to follow it with wariness as well as passion; with wisdom, if possible. Astrology has no more useful function than this, to discover the inmost nature of a man, and to bring it out into […]

The Hermetic Library Blog