It is common to overlook what is near by keeping the eye fixed on something remote. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is very common for us to desire most what we are least qualified to obtain. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Differences, we know, are never so effectually laid asleep as by some common calamity; an enemy unites all to whom he threatens… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Nothing is more common than mutual dislike, where mutual approbation is particularly expected. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Excise: A hateful tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is wonderful what a difference learning makes upon people even in the common intercourse of life, which does not appear to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In youth, it is common to measure right and wrong by the opinion of the world, and in age, to act without… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
London! the needy villain's general home, The common sewer of Paris and of Rome! With eager thirst, by folly or by fate,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is reason to suspect, that the distinctions of mankind have more show than value, when it is found that all agree… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The friendship which is to be practised or expected by common mortals, must take its rise from mutual pleasure, and must end… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Too much nicety of detail disgusts the greatest part of readers, and to throw a multitude of particulars under general heads, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that writes may be considered as a kind of general challenger, whom every one has a right to attack; since he… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Nothing is more common than for men to make partial and absurd distinctions between vices of equal enormity, and to observe some… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The common people do not accurately adapt their thoughts to objects; nor, secondly, do they accurately adapt their words to their thoughts;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is not possible to be regarded with tenderness, except by a few. That merit which gives greatness and renown diffuses its… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is commonly supposed that the uniformity of a studious life affords no matter for narration: but the truth is, that of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The task of an author is, either to teach what is not known, or to recommend known truths by his manner of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I am not able to instruct you. I can only tell that I have chosen wrong. I have passed my time in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is a common error, and the greater and more mischievous for being so common, to believe that repentance best becomes and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
These papers of the day have uses more adequate to the purposes of common life than more pompous and durable volumes. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Large offers and sturdy rejections are among the most common topics of falsehood — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
...a common observation, that few are mended by imprisonment, and that he, whose crimes have made confinement necessary, seldom makes any other… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Credulity is the common failing of inexperienced virtue; and he who is spontaneously suspicious may justly be charged with radical corruption. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Nothing is more common than to find men, whose works are now totally neglected, mentioned with praises by their contemporaries as the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is easy for a man who sits idle at home, and has nobody to please but himself, to ridicule or censure… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is indeed certain, that whoever attempts any common topick, will find unexpected coincidences of his thoughts with those of other writers;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A patriot is he whose public conduct is regulated by one single motive, the love of his country; who, as an agent… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man, however hopeless his pretensions may appear, has some project by which he hopes to rise to reputation; some art by… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To understand the works of celebrated authors, to comprehend their systems, and retain their reasonings, is a task more than equal to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All violation of established practice implies in its own nature a rejection of the common opinion, a defiance of common censure, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As every writer has his use, every writer ought to have his patrons; and since no man, however high he may now… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among the innumerable mortifications which waylay human arrogance on every side may well be reckoned our ignorance of the most common objects… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is natural for every man uninstructed to murmur at his condition, because, in the general infelicity of life, he feels his… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Such is the common process of marriage. A youth and maiden exchange meeting by chance, or brought together by artifice, exchange glances,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To write is, indeed, no unpleasing employment, when one sentiment readily produces another, and both ideas and expressions present themselves at the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I have often thought that there has rarely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not be useful;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
