"I refute it thus"

Asked for "the most immortal lines by or about Dr. Johnson," a contributor offers a favorite of mine:

After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley’s ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, ‘I refute it thus.’ (James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson)

Another from Boswell:

Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords.

And from The Idler (September 1, 1759):

The business of life is to go forwards: he who sees evil in prospect meets it in his way; but he who catches it by retrospection turns back to find it. That which is feared may sometimes be avoided, but that which is regretted today may be regretted tomorrow.

Sunday Morning Dr. Johnson Contest | Ricochet