“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Vulgar and inactive minds confound familiarity with knowledge, and conceive themselves informed of the whole nature of things, when they are shown… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
At length weariness succeeds to labor, and the mind lies at ease in the contemplation of her own attainments without any desire… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
None of the projects or designs which exercise the mind of man are equally subject to obstructions and disappointments with the pursuit… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“My dear friend, clear your mind of cant [excessive thought]. You may talk as other people do: you may say to a… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Presumption will be easily corrected; but timidity is a disease of the mind more obstinate and fatal. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is, however, not necessary, that a man should forbear to write, till he has discovered some truth unknown before; he may… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I advised Chambers, and would advise every young man beginning to compose, to do it as fast as he can, to get… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“Do not disturb your mind,” said Imlac, “with other hopes or fears than reason may suggest; if you are pleased with the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Friendship, peculiar boon of Heaven, The noble mind's delight and pride, To men and angels only given, To all the lower world… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A man who always talks for fame never can be pleasing. The man who talks to unburthen his mind is the man… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
When female minds are embittered by age or solitude, their malignity is generally exerted in a rigorous and spiteful superintendence of domestic… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among other pleasing errors of young minds is the opinion of their own importance. He that has not yet remarked, how little… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He is a benefactor of mankind who contracts the great rules of life into the short sentences, that may be easily impressed… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Hope is an amusement rather than a good, and adapted to none but very tranquil minds. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are innumerable questions to which the inquisitive mind can in this state receive no answer: Why do you and I exist?… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Disappointment, when it involves neither shame nor loss, is as good as success; for it supplies as many images to the mind,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Our minds, like our bodies, are in continual flux; something is hourly lost, and something acquired.... Do not suffer life to stagnate;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The truly strong and sound mind is the mind that can embrace equally great things and small. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The mind is never satisfied with the objects immediately before it, but is always breaking away from the present moment, and losing… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Our minds should not be empty because if they are not preoccupied by good, evil will break in upon them. — 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
