Being reproached for giving to an unworthy person, Aristotle said, I did not give it to the man, but to humanity. — 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
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
The great end of prudence is to give cheerfulness to those hours which splendour cannot gild, and acclamation cannot exhilarate; those soft… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
You cannot give me an instance of any man who is permitted to lay out his own time contriving not to have… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A lawyer has no business with the justice or injustice of the cause which he undertakes, unless his client asks his opinion,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Advice, as it always gives a temporary appearance of superiority, can never be very grateful, even when it is most necessary or… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Exercise cannot secure us from that dissolution to which we are decreed; but while the soul and body continue united, it can… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Nothing has so exposed men of learning to contempt and ridicule as their ignorance of things which are known to all but… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Wine gives a man nothing. It neither gives him knowledge nor wit; it only animates a man, and enables him to bring… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Go into the street, and give one man a lecture on morality, and another a shilling, and see which will respect you… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Wine gives great pleasure; and every pleasure is of itself a good. It is a good, unless counterbalanced by evil. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are some works which the authors must consign unpublished to posterity, however uncertain be the event, however hopeless be the trust.… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Nature makes us poor only when we want necessaries, but custom gives the name of poverty to the want of superfluities. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We have now learned that rashness and imprudence will not be deterred from taking credit; let us try whether fraud and avarice… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Plenty is the original cause of many of our needs; and even the poverty, which is so frequent and distressful in civilized… — 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
Guilt has always its horrors and solicitudes; and, to make it yet more shameful and detestable, it is doomed often to stand… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Let him that desires to see others happy, make haste to give while his gift can be enjoyed, and remember that every… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No, Sir, you will have much more influence by giving or lending money where it is wanted, than by hospitality. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Whosoever shall look heedfully upon those who are eminent for their riches will not think their condition such as that he should… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The hour of reformation is always delayed; every delay gives vice another opportunity of fortifying itself by habit. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To purchase Heaven has gold the power? Can gold remove the mortal hour? In life can love be bought with gold? Are… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Piety practiced in solitude, like the flower that blooms in the desert, may give its fragrance to the winds of heaven, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do more good to them by spending it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Treating your adversary with respect is giving him an advantage to which he is not entitled. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We are easily shocked by crimes which appear at once in their full magnitude, but the gradual growth of our own wickedness,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Wine gives great pleasure, and every pleasure is of itself a good. and A man should cultivate his mind so as to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
You are much surer that you are doing good when you pay money to those who work, as the recompense of their… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in historical composition, all the greatest powers of the human mind are quiescent.… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The drama's laws the drama's patrons give. For we that live to please must please to live. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Advice, as it always gives a temporary appearance of superiority, can never be very grateful, even when it is most necessary or… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is a certain race of men that either imagine it their duty, or make it their amusement, to hinder the reception… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I have thought of a pulley to raise me gradually; but that would give me pain, as it would counteract my natural… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is more reasonable to wish for reputation while it may be enjoyed, as Anacreon calls upon his companions to give him… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The great end of prudence is to give cheerfulness to those hours which splendor cannot gild, and acclamation cannot exhilarate. — 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
