If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
So scanty is our present allowance of happiness that in many situations life could scarcely be supported if hope were not allowed… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Repentance, however difficult to be practiced, is, if it be explained without superstition, easily understood. Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All knowledge is of itself of some value. There is nothing so minute or inconsiderable, that I would not rather know it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If the abuse be enormous, nature will rise up, and claiming her original rights, overturn a corrupt political system. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As he that lives longest lives but a little while, every man may be certain that he has no time to waste.… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Sir, if you wish to have a just notion of the magnitude of this city, you must not be satisfied with seeing… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If misery be the effect of virtue, it ought to be reverenced; if of ill-fortune, to be pitied; and if of vice,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I love the acquaintance of young people; because, in the first place, I do not like to think myself growing old. In… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No man is defeated without some resentment which will be continued with obstinacy while he believes himself in the right, and asserted… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“It is strange that there should be so little reading in the world, and so much writing. People in general do not… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Our minds should not be empty because if they are not preoccupied by good, evil will break in upon them. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The world will never be long without some good reason to hate the unhappy; their real faults are immediately detected; and if… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is justly considered as the greatest excellency of art to imitate nature; but it is necessary to distinguish those parts of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I doubt if there ever was a man who was not gratified by being told that he was liked by the women. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If a man could say nothing against a character but what he can prove, history could not be written. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
When the desire of wealth is taking hold of the heart, let us look round and see how it operates upon than… — 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
It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution can never… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If lawyers were to undertake no causes till they were sure they were just, a man might be precluded altogether from a… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Do not discourage your children from hoarding, if they have a taste to it; whoever lays up his penny rather than part… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If the man who turnips cries, Cry not when his father dies, 'Tis proof that he had rather Have a turnip than… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If, sir, men were all virtuous, I should with great alacrity teach them all to fly. But what would be the security… — 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
