Page:The Works of Samuel Johnson ... A journey to the Hebrides. The vision of Theodore, the hermit of Teneriffe. The fountains. Prayers and meditations. Sermons.v. 10-11. Parliamentary debates.pdf/450

 *tion of the future. They lull themselves in an enervate and cowardly dissipation, and, instead of being happy, are only indolent.

That this state is not a state of happiness, that it affords no real satisfaction to a reasonable mind, those who appear most engaged in it will, in their calmest moments, readily confess. Those among them, on whom providence has bestowed such abilities as are necessary to the discovery of truth, and the distinction of appearance from reality (for, among the negligent and voluptuous, men of this character are sometimes to be found,) have always owned, that their felicity is like that of a deep sleep, from which they awake to care and sorrow; or of a pleasing dream, that affords them short gratifications, of which the day deprives them; and that their pleasures only differ from the phantoms of the night in this, that they leave behind them the pangs of guilt, with the vexation of disappointment.

It may be imagined, that reasonable beings must quickly discover how little such satisfactions are adapted to their nature, and how necessary it is to change their measures, in order to the attainment of that happiness which they desire; and in effect, it is generally found that few, except the young and unexperienced, content themselves with sensual gratifications; and that men, as they advance in years, and improve their judgment by observation, always confess, by the alteration of their conduct, that mere voluptuousness is not sufficient to fill the desires of the human mind.

They, therefore, shake off the lethargy of sloth, forsake diversion and amusements, and engage in the pursuits of riches or of honours. They employ those hours, which were frequently suffered to pass away unnumbered and unheeded, with the most solicitous application, and the most vigilant attention. They are no longer negligent of all that passes about them, no more careless of the opinions of mankind, or unconcerned with regard to censure or applause. They become anxious lest any opportunity