Genius, that power which constitutes a poet; that quality without which judgment is cold, and knowledge is inert; that energy which collects,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All truth is valuable, and satirical criticism may be considered as useful when it rectifies error and improves judgment; he that refines… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that condemns himself to compose on a stated day will often bring to his task attention dissipated, a memory embarrassed, an… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Admiration and love are like being intoxicated with champagne; judgment and friendship are like being enlivened. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Few of those who fill the world with books, have any pretensions to the hope either of pleasing or instructing. They have… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As not every instance of similitude can be considered as a proof of imitation, so not every imitation ought to be stigmatised… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Scarcely any degree of judgment is sufficient to restrain the imagination from magnifying that on which it is long detained — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is indeed certain, that whoever attempts any common topick, will find unexpected coincidences of his thoughts with those of other writers;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All violation of established practice implies in its own nature a rejection of the common opinion, a defiance of common censure, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense. The power of invention has been conferred… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In writing, as in life, faults are endured without disgust when they are associated with transcendent merit, and may be sometimes recommended… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is not indeed certain, that the most refined caution will find a proper time for bringing a man to the knowledge… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Where no man thinks himself under any obligation to submit to another, and, instead of co-operating in one great scheme, every one… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is not often that any man can have so much knowledge of another, as is necessary to make instruction useful. — 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
