None can be pleased without praise, and few can be praised without falsehood. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All censure of a man's self is oblique praise. It is in order to show how much he can spare. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
..to write and to live are very different. Many who praise virtue, do no more than praise it. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Praise is so pleasing to the mind of man that it is the original of almost all of our actions — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It requires but little acquaintance with the heart to know that woman's first wish is to be handsome; and that, consequently, the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Hunger is never delicate; they who are seldom gorged to the full with praise may be safely fed with gross compliments, for… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such, We scarcely can praise it or blame it too much; Who, born for… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All the performances of human art, at which we look with praise or wonder, are instances of the resistless force of perseverance. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that writes may be considered as a kind of general challenger, whom every one has a right to attack; since he… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I have protracted my work till most of those whom I wished to please have sunk into the grave, and success and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To be flattered is grateful, even when we know that our praises are not believed by those who pronounce them; for they… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that resigns his peace to little casualties, and suffers the course of his life to be interrupted for fortuitous inadvertencies or… — 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
The greatest human virtue bears no proportion to human vanity. We always think ourselves better than we are, and are generally desirous… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The highest panegyric, therefore, that private virtue can receive, is the praise of servants. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that applauds him who does not deserve praise, is endeavoring to deceive the public; he that hisses in malice or sport,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity. It becomes cheap as it becomes vulgar, and will no… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Of riches it is not necessary to write the praise. Let it, however, be remembered that he who has money to spare… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The real satisfaction which praise can afford, is when what is repeated aloud agrees with the whispers of conscience, by showing us… — 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 continual feast of commendation is only to be obtained by merit or by wealth: many are therefore obliged to content themselves… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To scatter praise or blame without regard to justice is to destroy the distinction of good and evil. Many have no other… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. The acknowledgment of those virtues on which conscience congratulates us is… — 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
