The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
These are the men who, without virtue, labour, or hazard, are growing rich, as their country is impoverished; they rejoice, when obstinacy… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Criticism, though dignified from the earliest ages by the labours of men eminent for knowledge and sagacity, has not yet attained the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Being reproached for giving to an unworthy person, Aristotle said, I did not give it to the man, but to humanity. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
None of the projects or designs which exercise the mind of man are equally subject to obstructions and disappointments with the pursuit… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The misery of man proceeds not from any single crush of overwhelming evil, but from small vexations continually repeated. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In such a government as ours no man is appointed to an office because he is the fittest for it--nor hardly in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The man who is asked by an author what he thinks of his work is put to the torture and is not… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are some sluggish men who are improved by drinking; as there are fruits that are not good until they are rotten. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Pride is a vice, which pride itself inclines every man to find in others, and to overlook in himself — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Some claim a place in the list of patriots, by an acrimonious and unremitting opposition to the court. This mark is by… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Never, my dear Sir, do you take it into your head that I do not love you; you may settle yourself in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Books to judicious compilers, are useful; to particular arts and professions, they are absolutely necessary; to men of real science, they are… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There lurks, perhaps, in every human heart a desire of distinction, which inclines every man first to hope, and then to believe,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is not difficult to conceive, however, that for many reasons a man writes much better than he lives. For without entering… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Men are generally idle, and ready to satisfy themselves, and intimidate the industry of others, by calling that impossible which is only… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is, however, not necessary, that a man should forbear to write, till he has discovered some truth unknown before; he may… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
People seldom read a book which is given to them; and few are given. The way to spread a work is to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
So willing is every man to flatter himself, that the difference between approving laws, and obeying them, is frequently forgotten; he that… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
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
I advised Chambers, and would advise every young man beginning to compose, to do it as fast as he can, to get… — 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
