Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.
Meaning
Spoken in Rasselas by the artist who plans to build a flying machine, this line credits steady practice with making difficult things possible. It is a prompt to split a hard goal into drills you can repeat: fifteen daily minutes on one skill beats rare marathon sessions.
Source: The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759), ch. 12
About the author
(1709–1784) was an English writer, critic, and lexicographer best known for compiling one of the first comprehensive English dictionaries. His work helped standardize the English language. Johnson’s essays, biographies, and literary criticism reflect his wit and intellect. He was a central figure in 18th-century literary circles. Samuel Johnson’s influence continues to be felt in language and literature.
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