Communication Quotes by Samuel Johnson

You raise your voice when you should reinforce your argument.

— Samuel Johnson

“I found our speech copious without order, and energetic without rules”

— Samuel Johnson

Unconstraint is the grace of conversation.

— Samuel Johnson

Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.

— Samuel Johnson

When a man says he had pleasure with a woman he does not mean conversation.

— Samuel Johnson

Every man has some favorite topic of conversation, on which, by a feigned seriousness of attention, he may be drawn to expatiate…

— Samuel Johnson

That is the happiest conversation where there is no competition, no vanity, but a calm, quiet interchange of sentiments…

— Samuel Johnson

A transition from an author's book to his conversation, is too often like an entrance into a large city.

— Samuel Johnson

A country gentleman should bring his lady to visit London as soon as he can, that they may have agreeable topicks for…

— Samuel Johnson

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations.

— Samuel Johnson

There is in this world no real delight (excepting those of sensuality), but exchange of ideas in conversation.

— Samuel Johnson

The happiest conversation is that of which nothing is distinctly remembered, but a general effect of pleasing impression.

— Samuel Johnson

To us, who are regaled every morning and evening with intelligence, and are supplied from day to day with materials for conversation,…

— Samuel Johnson

To fix the thoughts by writing, and subject them to frequent examinations and reviews, is the best method of enabling the mind…

— Samuel Johnson

“There is nothing by which a man exasperates most people more, than displaying a superior ability of briliancy in conversation. They seem…

— Samuel Johnson

John Wesley's conversation is good, but he is never at leisure. He is always obliged to go at a certain hour. This…

— Samuel Johnson

As any custom is disused, the words that expressed it must perish with it; as any opinion grows popular, it will innovate…

— Samuel Johnson

More knowledge may be gained of a man's real character by a short conversation with one of his servants than from a…

— Samuel Johnson

Depend upon it, sir, it is when you come close to a man in conservation that you discover what his real abilities…

— Samuel Johnson

But to the particular species of excellence men are directed, not by an ascendant planet or predominating humour, but by the first…

— Samuel Johnson

A transition from an author's book to his conversation is too often like an entrance into a large city, after a distant…

— Samuel Johnson

“APOSIOPESIS  (APOSIOPE'SIS)   n.s.[   from    after, and rixp  to be silent.] A form of speech, by which the speaker, through some affection, as…

— Samuel Johnson

How many may a man of diffusive conversation count among his acquaintances, whose lives have been signalized by numberless escapes; who never…

— Samuel Johnson

It has long been observed, that an atheist has no just reason for endeavouring conversions; and yet none harass those minds which…

— Samuel Johnson

When a language begins to teem with books, it is tending to refinement; as those who undertake to teach others must have…

— Samuel Johnson

There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth. It is apparent that men can be social beings no longer…

— Samuel Johnson