Learning Quotes by Samuel Johnson

Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.

— Samuel Johnson

Learn that the present hour alone is man's.

— Samuel Johnson

He that is much flattered soon learns to flatter himself.

— Samuel Johnson

Books have always a secret influence on the understanding.

— Samuel Johnson

Before dinner men meet with great inequality of understanding.

— Samuel Johnson

The size of a man's understanding can be justly measured by his mirth.

— Samuel Johnson

To buried merit rise the tardy bust.

— Samuel Johnson

“The size of a man’s understanding may always be justly measured by his mirth.”

— Samuel Johnson

Even those to whom Providence has allotted greater strength of understanding can expect only to improve a single science.

— Samuel Johnson

In traveling, a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.

— Samuel Johnson

In travelling, a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.

— Samuel Johnson

I would advise no man to marry who is not likely to propagate understanding.

— Samuel Johnson

Pendantry is the unseasonable ostentation of learning. It may be discovered either in the choice of a subject or in the manner…

— Samuel Johnson

It is to be steadily inculcated, that virtue is the highest proof of understanding, and the only solid basis of greatness.

— Samuel Johnson

The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.

— Samuel Johnson

The man whose genius qualifies him for great undertakings must at least be content to learn from books the present state of…

— Samuel Johnson

I will venture to say there is more learning and science within the circumference of ten miles from where we now sit…

— Samuel Johnson

There is less flogging in our great schools than formerly-but then less is learned there; so what the boys get at one…

— Samuel Johnson

The chief art of learning, as Locke has observed, is to attempt but little at a time. The widest excursions of the…

— Samuel Johnson

Too much nicety of detail disgusts the greatest part of readers, and to throw a multitude of particulars under general heads, and…

— Samuel Johnson

“Nothing has more retarded the advancement of learning than the disposition of vulgar minds to ridicule and vilify what they cannot comprehend.”

— Samuel Johnson

Books have always a secret influence on the understanding; we cannot at pleasure obliterate ideas; he that reads books of science, thogh…

— Samuel Johnson

Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes, And pause a while from learning to be wise. There mark what ills…

— Samuel Johnson

That eminence of learning is not to be gained without labour, at least equal to that which any other kind of greatness…

— Samuel Johnson

Without good humour, learning and bravery can only confer that superiority which swells the heart of the lion in the desert, where…

— Samuel Johnson

If an author be supposed to involve his thoughts in voluntary obscurity, and to obstruct, by unnecessary difficulties, a mind eager in…

— Samuel Johnson

Books are faithful repositories, which may be awhile neglected or forgotten; but when they are opened again, will again impart their instruction:…

— Samuel Johnson

I am always for getting a boy forward in his learning, for that is sure good. I would let him at first…

— Samuel Johnson

Even those to whom Providence has allotted greater strength of understanding, can expect only to improve a single science. In every other…

— Samuel Johnson

...a man estimable for his learning, amiable for his life, and venerable for his piety. Arbuthnot was a man of great comprehension,…

— Samuel Johnson

To mean understandings, it is sufficient honour to be numbered amongst the lowest labourers of learning; but different abilities must find different…

— Samuel Johnson

“No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance, or to extinguish the…

— Samuel Johnson

In order that all men might be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.

— Samuel Johnson

Nothing has tended more to retard the advancement of science than the disposition in vulgar minds to vilify what they cannot comprehend.

— Samuel Johnson

It is wonderful what a difference learning makes upon people even in the common intercourse of life, which does not appear to…

— Samuel Johnson

More is learned in a public than in a private school, from emulation. There is the collision of mind with mind, or…

— Samuel Johnson

The duties of religion, sincerely and regularly performed, will always be sufficient to exalt the meanest and to exercise the highest understanding.

— Samuel Johnson

All discourse of which others cannot partake is not only an irksome usurpation of the time devoted to pleasure and entertainment, but,…

— Samuel Johnson

Before dinner men meet with great inequality of understanding; and those who are conscious of their inferiority have the modesty not to…

— Samuel Johnson

To understand the works of celebrated authors, to comprehend their systems, and retain their reasonings, is a task more than equal to…

— Samuel Johnson