Cunning has effect from the credulity of others, rather than from the abilities of those who are cunning. It requires no extraordinary… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Whoever commits a fraud is guilty not only of the particular injury to him who he deceives, but of the diminution of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Men who cannot deceive others are very often successful at deceiving themselves. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I have always considered it as treason against the great republic of human nature, to make any man's virtues the means of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Let us take a patriot, where we can meet him; and, that we may not flatter ourselves by false appearances, distinguish those… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that applauds him who does not deserve praise, is endeavoring to deceive the public; he that hisses in malice or sport,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It may be laid down as a position which seldom deceives, that when a man cannot bear his own company, there is… — 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
