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
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
Differences, we know, are never so effectually laid asleep as by some common calamity; an enemy unites all to whom he threatens… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The specualtist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity; and still, as he inquires more, perceives only… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I look upon this as I did upon the Dictionary: it is all work, and my inducement to it is not love… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Conjecture as to things useful, is good; but conjecture as to what it would be useless to know, is very idle. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is commonly observed, that when two Englishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather; they are in haste to tell… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among the innumerable mortifications which waylay human arrogance on every side may well be reckoned our ignorance of the most common objects… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that never labors may know the pains of idleness, but not the pleasures. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
How gloomy would be the mansions of the dead to him who did not know that he should never die: that what… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is nothing so minute, or inconsiderable, that I would not rather know it than not. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In a man's letters you know, Madam, his soul lies naked, his letters are only the mirror of his breast, whatever passes… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Enlarge my life with multitude of days, In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays; Hides from himself his state, and shuns… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I know not, Madam, that you have a right, upon moral principles, to make your readers suffer so much. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I know not why any one but a school boy in his declamation would whine over the Commonwealth of Rome, which grew… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Probably no one will ever know whether it is better to wear a nightcap or not. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As every one is pleased with imagining that he knows something not yet commonly divulged, secret history easily gains credit; but it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are three distinct kind of judges upon all new authors or productions; the first are those who know no rules, but… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Difference of thoughts will produce difference of language. He that thinks with more extent than another, will want words of a larger… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
That the happiness of man may still remain imperfect, as wants in this place are easily supplied, new wants likewise are easily… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I do not know, sir, that the fellow is an infidel; but if he be an infidel, he is an infidel as… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It requires but little acquaintance with the heart to know that woman's first wish is to be handsome; and that, consequently, the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The greatest human virtue bears no proportion to human vanity. We always think ourselves better than we are, and are generally desirous… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know That life protracted is protracted woe. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
That eminence of learning is not to be gained without labour, at least equal to that which any other kind of greatness… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To be flattered is grateful, even when we know that our praises are not believed by those who pronounce them; for they… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Except during the nine months before he draws his first breath, no man manages his affairs as well as a tree. We… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I know not anything more pleasant, or more instructive, than to compare experience with expectation, or to register from time to time… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Surely, it is much easier to respect a man who has always had respect, than to respect a man who we know… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Men go to sea, before they know the unhappiness of that way of life; and when they have come to know it,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Sir, what is poetry? Why, Sir, it is much easier to say what it is not. We all know what light is;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The good of our present state is merely comparative, and the evil which every man feels will be sufficient to disturb and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among the calamities of war may be justly numbered the diminution of the love of truth by falsehoods which interest dictates and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The truth is that the spectators are always in their senses, and know, from the first act to the last, that the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
How many may a man of diffusive conversation count among his acquaintances, whose lives have been signalized by numberless escapes; who never… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is however, reasonable, to have perfection in our eye; that we may always advance towards it, though we know it never… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Lawyers know life practically. A bookish man should always have them to converse with. — 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
