When I first collected these authorities, I was desirous that every quotation should be useful to some other end than the illustration… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Discord generally operates in little things; it is inflamed ... by contrariety of taste oftener than principles. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A man may be very sincere in good principles, without having good practice. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As to precedents, to be sure they will increase in course of time; but the more precedents there are, the less occasion… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Combinations of wickedness would overwhelm the world, by the advantage which licentious principles afford, did not those who have long practised perfidy… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The wretched have no compassion, they can do good only from strong principles of duty. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I know not, Madam, that you have a right, upon moral principles, to make your readers suffer so much. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of action are not known, but because for a time… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All to whom want is terrible, upon whatever principle, ought to think themselves obliged to learn the sage maxims of our parsimonious… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every government is perpetually degenerating towards corruption, from which it must be rescued at certain periods by the resuscitation of its first… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The maxim of Cleobulus, "Mediocrity is best," has been long considered a universal principle, extending through the whole compass of life and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It ought to be the first endeavour of a writer to distinguish nature from custom; or that which is established because it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The mind is refrigerated by interruption; the thoughts are diverted from the principle subject; the reader is weary, he suspects not why;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Learn the leading precognita of all things-no need to turn over leaf by leaf, but grasp the trunk hard and you will… — 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
It is true that of far the greater part of things, we must content ourselves with such knowledge as description may exhibit,… — 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
