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
He that would travel for the entertainment of others, should remember that the great object of remark is human life. Every nation… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The uniform necessities of human nature produce in a great measure uniformity of life, and for part of the day make one… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every class of society has its cant of lamentation, which is understood or regarded by none but themselves; and every part 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
Such is the state of every age, every sex, and every condition: all have their cares, either from nature or from folly;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The hostility perpetually exercised between one man and another, is caused by the desire of many for that which only few can… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Man is a transitory being, and his designs must partake of the imperfections of their author. To confer duration is not always… — 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
Sir, sorrow is inherent in humanity. As you cannot judge two and two to be either five, or three, but certainly four,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The necessities of our condition require a thousand offices of tenderness, which mere regard for the species will never dictate. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All envy would be extinguished, if it were universally known that there are none to be envied. — 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 return of my birthday, if I remember it, fills me with thoughts which it seems to be the general care of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Virtue is uncommon in all the classes of humanity; and I suppose it will scarcely be imagined more frequent in a prison… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The power, indeed, of every individual is small, and the consequence of his endeavours imperceptible, in a general prospect of the world.… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man has frequent grievances which only the solicitude of friendship will discover and remedy, and which would remain for ever unheeded… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that compares what he has done with what he has left undone, will feel the effect which must always follow the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We are all prompted by the same motives, all deceived by the same fallacies, all animated by hope, obstructed by danger, entangled… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance, or to extinguish the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Human happiness has always its abatements; the brightest sunshine of success is not without a cloud. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The gratification which affluence of wealth, extent of power, and eminence of reputation confer, must be always, by their own nature, confined… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We are unreasonably desirous to separate the goods of life from those evils which Providence has connected with them, and to catch… — 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
