"He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either honesty or courage"

This quote by Samuel Johnson suggests that when one stops working to attain wealth or power, they will soon lose their ethical stability and nerve. Johnson indicates that the pursuit of wealth and power can be a corrupting influence, and that those who fail to obtain these goals might be tempted to abandon their principles in order to succeed. He recommends that those who are not successful in their efforts to acquire wealth or power will quickly find themselves doing not have in both sincerity and nerve. This quote serves as a warning to those who look for wealth and power, as it recommends that they must bear in mind their moral compass and remain real to their worths, even if they do not attain their wanted objectives.