Every human being whose mind is not debauched, will be willing to give all that he has to get knowledge. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The relief of enemies has a tendency to unite mankind in fraternal affection. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In civilized society we all depend upon each other, and our happiness is very much owing to the good opinion of mankind. — 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
Let observation with extensive view, Survey mankind from China to Peru; Remark each anxious toil, each eager strife, And watch the busy… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is the care of a very great part of mankind to conceal their indigence from the rest. They support themselves by… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among the lower classes of mankind there will be found very little desire of any other knowledge than what may contribute immediately… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every error in human conduct must arise from ignorance in ourselves, either perpetual or temporary; and happen either because we do not… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I fancy mankind may come, in time, to write all aphoristically, except in narrative; grow weary of preparation, and connection, and illustration,… — 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
Such is the emptiness of human enjoyment that we are always impatient of the present. Attainment is followed by neglect, and possession… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Everything that enlarges the sphere of human powers, that shows man he can do what he thought he could not do, is… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is reason to suspect, that the distinctions of mankind have more show than value, when it is found that all agree… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Human experience, which is constantly contradicting theory, is the great test of truth. A system, built upon the discoveries of a great… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
How small of all that human hearts endure, That part which laws or kings can cause or cure! Still to ourselves in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Providence has fixed the limits of human enjoyment by immovable boundaries, and has set different gratifications at such a distance from each… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“It has been observed in all ages that the advantages of nature or of fortune have contributed very little to the promotion… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is justly considered as the greatest excellency of art to imitate nature; but it is necessary to distinguish those parts of nature which are most proper for imitation: greater care is still required in representing life, which is so often discoloured by passion or deformed by wickedness. If the world be promiscuously described, I cannot see of what use… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share
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
It is easy for a man who sits idle at home, and has nobody to please but himself, to ridicule or censure… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The history of mankind is little else than a narrative of designs which have failed and hopes that have been disappointed. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
[The poet] must write as the interpreter of nature and the legislator of mankind, and consider himself as presiding over the thoughts… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Whoever desires, for his writings or himself, what none can reasonably contemn, the favour of mankind, must add grace to strength, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As I know more of mankind I expect less of them, and am ready now to call a man a good man… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“How small, of all that human hearts endure, That part which laws or kings can cause or cure. Still to ourselves in… — 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
![“[The poet] must write as the interpreter of nature and the legislator of mankind, and consider himself as presiding over the thoughts and manners of future generations, as a being superior to time and place.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/668/samuel-johnson-50_future-generation_the-poet-must-write-as-the-interpreter-o_3180253.jpg)
