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
A man is not obliged honestly to answer a question which should not properly be put. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
People have now a-days got a strange opinion that every thing should be taught by lectures. Now, I cannot see that lectures… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No man should attempt to teach others what he has never learned himself — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
God Himself, sir, does not propose to judge a man until his life is over. Why should you and I? — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Books, says Lord Bacon, can never teach us the use of books; the student must learn by commerce with mankind to reduce… — 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
It is no matter what you teach them first, any more than what leg you shall put into your breeches first. You… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There should be a stated day for commemorating the birthday of our Savior, because there is danger that what may be done… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Cucumber should be well sliced, dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Words too familiar, or too remote, defeat the purpose of a poet. From those sounds which we hear on small or on… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are three distinct kind of judges upon all new authors or productions; the first are those who know no rules, but… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In all evils which admits a remedy, impatience should be avoided, because it wastes the time and attention in complaints which, if… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Difference of thoughts will produce difference of language. He that thinks with more extent than another, will want words of a larger… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Religion informs us that misery and sin were produced together. The depravation of human will was followed by a disorder of the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Whosoever shall look heedfully upon those who are eminent for their riches will not think their condition such as that he should… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Those who have no power to judge of past times but by their own, should always doubt their conclusions — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The student who would build his knowledge on solid foundations, and proceed by just degrees to the pinnacles of truth, is directed… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In all evils which admit a remedy, impatience is to be avoided, because it wastes that time and attention in complaints, that,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance, or to extinguish the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A country gentleman should bring his lady to visit London as soon as he can, that they may have agreeable topicks for… — 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
