ABRUPTO

08:42 (JPP)

EARLY MORNING BLOGS

1673

Boswell: I described to him an impudent fellow from Scotland, who affected to be a savage, and railed at all established systems.

Johnson: "There is nothing surprizing in this, Sir. He wants to make himself conspicuous. He would tumble in a hogstye, as long as you looked at him and called to him to come out. But let him alone, never mind him, and he'll soon give it over."

Boswell: I added that the same person maintained that there was no distinction between virtue and vice.

Johnson: "Why, Sir, if the fellow does not think as he speaks, he is lying; and I see not what honour he can propose to himself from having the character of a liar. But if he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons."

(Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson)