Every man is prompted by the love of himself to imagine that he possesses some qualities, superior, either in kind or degree,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Youth enters the world with very happy prejudices in her own favor. She imagines herself not only certain of accomplishing every adventure,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among other pleasing errors of young minds is the opinion of their own importance. He that has not yet remarked, how little… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Admiration must be continued by that novelty which first produces it; and how much soever is given, there must always be reason… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No cause more frequently produces bashfulness than too high an opinion of our own importance. He that imagines an assembly filled with… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No man tells his opinion so freely as when he imagines it received with implicit veneration. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In most ages many countries have had part of their inhabitants in a state of slavery; yet it may be doubted whether… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The diversion of baiting an author has the sanction of all ages and nations, and is more lawful than the sport of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is no idleness, by which we are so easily seduced, as that which dignifies itself by the appearance of business, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
People may be taken in once, who imagine that an author is greater in private life than other men. — 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
Every man, however hopeless his pretensions may appear, has some project by which he hopes to rise to reputation; some art by… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man is prompted by the love of himself to imagine that he possesses some qualities superior, either in kind or degree,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Of those that spin out trifles and die without a memorial, many flatter themselves with high opinions of their own importance, and… — 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
