A mere literary man is a dull man; a man who is solely a man of business is a selfish man; but… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Nothing is more common than to find men, whose works are now totally neglected, mentioned with praises by their contemporaries as the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A man had rather have a hundred lies told of him than one truth which he does not wish should be told. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In order that all men might be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man speaks and writes with intent to be understood; and it can seldom happen but he that understands himself might convey… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is generally allowed, that no man ever found the happiness of possession proportionate to that expectation which incited his desire, and… — 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
From all our observations we may collect with certainty, that misery is the lot of man, but cannot discover in what particular… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A few men are sufficient to broach falsehoods, which are afterwards innocently diffused by successive relaters. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No wise man will go to live in the country, unless he has something to do which can be better done in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We are unreasonably desirous to separate the goods of life from those evils which Providence has connected with them, and to catch… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The certainty that life cannot be long, and the probability that it will be much shorter than nature allows, ought to awaken… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Wine gives great pleasure, and every pleasure is of itself a good. and A man should cultivate his mind so as to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Most vices may be committed very genteelly: a man may debauch his friend's wife genteelly: he may cheat at cards genteelly — 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
Sir, I do not call a gamester a dishonest man; but I call him an unsociable man, an unprofitable man. Gaming is… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Piety is the only proper and adequate relief of decaying man. He that grows old without religions hopes, as he declines into… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in historical composition, all the greatest powers of the human mind are quiescent.… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The mischief of flattery is, not that it persuades any man that he is what he is not, but that it suppresses… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is generally agreed, that few men are made better by affluence or exaltation. — 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
