Adversity leads us to think properly of our state, and so is most beneficial to us.

Source: As quoted in The new dictionary of thoughts by Tryon Edwards.

Adversity has ever been considered as the date in which a man most easily becomes acquainted with himself.

Complete Sentence: Adversity has ever been considered as the date in which a man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, particularly being free from flatterers.

Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.

Source: Samuel Johnson, The History of Rassselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759), Chapter 41 (1759).

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He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts.

Source: Samuel Johnson: Rambler #6 (April 7, 1750)

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.

Source: The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) by James Boswell, Vol II, April 18, 1775, page 258.