Hope itself is a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords; but, like all other pleasures immoderately… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“Pleasure, in itself harmless, may become mischievous, by endearing to us a state which we know to be transient and probatory, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Books have always a secret influence on the understanding; we cannot at pleasure obliterate ideas; he that reads books of science, thogh… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The expense is damnable, the position is ridiculous, and the pleasure fleeting. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If, sir, men were all virtuous, I should with great alacrity teach them all to fly. But what would be the security… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Pleasure that is obtained by unreasonable and unsuitable cost must always end in pain. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are minds so impatient of inferiority that their gratitude is a species of revenge, and they return benefits, not because recompense… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We all live in the hope of pleasing somebody; and the pleasure of pleasing ought to be greatest, and always will be… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
None but those who have learned the art of subjecting their senses as well as reason to hypothetical systems can be persuaded… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
But it is evident, that these bursts of universal distress are more dreaded than felt; thousands and ten thousands flourish in youth,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Health is so necessary to all the duties, as well as pleasures of life, that the crime of squandering it is equal… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We all live upon the hope of pleasing somebody, and the pleasure of pleasing ought to be greatest, and at last always… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Such is the pleasure of projecting that many content themselves with a succession of visionary schemes, and wear out their allotted time… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
But though it cannot be reasonable not to gain happiness for fear of losing it, yet it must be confessed, that in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The luster of diamonds is invigorated by the interposition of darker bodies; the lights of a picture are created by the shades;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
High people, sir, are the best; take a hundred ladies of quality, you'll find them better wives, better mothers, more willing to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The friendship which is to be practised or expected by common mortals, must take its rise from mutual pleasure, and must end… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Friendship may well deserve the sacrifice of pleasure, though not of conscience. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We are all prompted by the same motives, all deceived by the same fallacies, all animated by hope, obstructed by danger, entangled… — 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
