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
I have all my life long been lying in bed till noon; yet I tell all young men, and tell them with… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Such seems to be the disposition of man, that whatever makes a distinction produces rivalry. — 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
It is wonderful to think how men of very large estates not only spend their yearly income, but are often actually in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are occasions on which it is noble to dare to stand alone. To be pious among infidels, to be disinterested in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As all error is meanness, it is incumbent on every man who consults his own dignity, to retract it as soon as… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is commonly supposed that the uniformity of a studious life affords no matter for narration: but the truth is, that of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A man finds in the productions of nature an inexhaustible stock of material on which he can employ himself, without any temptations… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The power, indeed, of every individual is small, and the consequence of his endeavours imperceptible, in a general prospect of the world.… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Labor, if it were not necessary for existence, would be indispensable for the happiness of man. — 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
A man may write at any time, if he will set himself doggedly to it. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No man was more foolish when he had not a pen in his hand, or more wise when he had — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is no book so poor that it would not be a prodigy if wholly made by a single man. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Such is the constitution of man that labour may be styled its own reward; nor will any external incitements be requisite, if… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Commerce can never be at a stop while one man wants what another can supply; and credit will never be denied, while… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Let us take a patriot, where we can meet him; and, that we may not flatter ourselves by false appearances, distinguish those… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man may be observed to have a certain strain of lamentation, some peculiar theme of complaint on which he dwells in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Man's chief merit consists in resisting the impulses of his nature. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
An infallible characteristic of meanness is cruelty. Men who have practiced tortures on animals without pity, relating them without shame, how can… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A newswriter is a man without virtue, who lies at home for his own profit. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Life is short. The sooner that a man begins to enjoy his wealth the better. — 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
