Throughout history, chiasmus has been used numerous times to make chiastic comparisons between people of different countries, often in a self-serving way. The English have been especially fond of comparing themselves chiastically to the French, and examples can be found in the writings of almost all great English writers. Written in 1788, this observation on the distinction between labor and exercise helps explain why two activities that both involve strenuous physical exertion can result in one being viewed as positive and the other negative. As time passes, however, the high-class folks often begin to fall from grace, while the lower class folks emerge as very fine people whose only problem is that they're a little rough around the edges. We move toward completion of this month's feature by presenting ten more chiastic quotes from Johnson, all without any further commentary.
Tears are often to be found where there is little sorrow, and the deepest sorrow without any tears.
A man is always desirous of being at peace with himself, and when he cannot reconcile his passions to his conscience he will attempt to reconcile his conscience to his passions. The truth is that no man is much regarded by the rest of the world. He that considers how little he dwells upon the condition of others will learn how little the attention of others is attracted by himself. No man can live only for others unless he could persuade others to live only for him. And, finally, here's a great chiastic quote not by Johnson, but about him.