Books to judicious compilers, are useful; to particular arts and professions, they are absolutely necessary; to men of real science, they are… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among the numerous stratagems by which pride endeavors to recommend folly to regard, there is scarcely one that meets with less success… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The perfect day for quitting is not real. It will never come, so might as well start today — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
More knowledge may be gained of a man's real character by a short conversation with one of his servants than from a… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Such is the state of every age, every sex, and every condition: all have their cares, either from nature or from folly;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Many of our miseries are merely comparative: we are often made unhappy, not by the presence of any real evil, but by… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Idleness is often covered by turbulence and hurry. He that neglects his known duty and real employment naturally endeavours to crowd his… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Scarce any man becomes eminently disagreeable but by a departure from his real character, and an attempt at something for which nature… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The world will never be long without some good reason to hate the unhappy; their real faults are immediately detected; and if… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
When the desire of wealth is taking hold of the heart, let us look round and see how it operates upon than… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Reason elevates our thoughts as high as the stars, and leads us through the vast space of this mighty fabric; yet it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Since every man is obliged to promote happiness and virtue, he should be careful not to mislead unwary minds, by appearing to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Life is but short; no time can be afforded but for the indulgence of real sorry, or contests upon questions seriously momentous.… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We must consider how very little history there is--I mean real, authentic history. That certain kings reigned and certain battles were fought,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Depend upon it, sir, it is when you come close to a man in conservation that you discover what his real abilities… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy. — 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
There is in this world no real delight (excepting those of sensuality), but exchange of ideas in conversation. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Few faults of style, whether real or imaginary, excite the malignity of a more numerous class of readers, than the use of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
His scorn of the great is repeated too often to be real; no man thinks much of that which he despises. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
On Sir Joshua Reynolds's observing that the real character of a man was found out by his amusements. Yes, Sir, no man… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Like an image in a dream the world is troubled by love, hatred, and other poisons. So long as the dream lasts,… — 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
