Frugality may be termed the daughter of Prudence, the sister of Temperance, and the parent of Liberty. — 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
A simile, to be perfect, must both illustrate and ennoble the subject; must show it to the understanding in a clearer view,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We have now learned that rashness and imprudence will not be deterred from taking credit; let us try whether fraud and avarice… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Never speak of a man in his own presence. It is always indelicate, and may be offensive . — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The business of life is to go forward; he who sees evil in prospect meets it in his way, and he who… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Tradition is but a meteor, which, if it once falls, cannot be rekindled. Memory, once interrupted, is not to be recalled. But… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Pendantry is the unseasonable ostentation of learning. It may be discovered either in the choice of a subject or in the manner… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As the greatest liar tells more truths than falsehoods, so may it be said of the worst man, that he does more… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Books are faithful repositories, which may be awhile neglected or forgotten; but when they are opened again, will again impart their instruction:… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of action are not known, but because for a time… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Such is the constitution of Man that labor may be said to be its own re-ward. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The duty of criticism is neither to depreciate nor dignify by partial representations, but to hold out the light of reason, whatever… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Pride is seldom delicate, it will please itself with very mean advantages; and envy feels not its own happiness, but when it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is scarcely credible to what degree discernment may be dazzled by the mist of pride, and wisdom infatuated by the intoxication… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Pity is not natural to man. Children and savages are always cruel. Pity is acquired and improved by the cultivation of reason.… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man has some favorite topic of conversation, on which, by a feigned seriousness of attention, he may be drawn to expatiate… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To use two languages familiarly and without contaminating one by the other, is very difficult; and to use more than two is… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Many causes may vitiate a writer's judgement of his own works. On that which has cost him much labour he sets a… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is no matter what you teach them first, any more than what leg you shall put into your breeches first. You… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There should be a stated day for commemorating the birthday of our Savior, because there is danger that what may be done… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We may have uneasy feelings for seeing a creature in distress without pity; for we have not pity unless we wish to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are certain topicks which are never exhausted. Of some images and sentiments the mind of man may be said to be… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Attainment is followed by neglect, possession by disgust, and the malicious remark of the Greek epigrammatist on marriage may be applied to… — 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
