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
Melancholy, indeed, should be diverted by every means but drinking. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are people whom one should like very well to drop, but would not wish to be dropped by. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A man had rather have a hundred lies told of him than one truth which he does not wish should be told. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In order that all men might be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Wine gives great pleasure, and every pleasure is of itself a good. and A man should cultivate his mind so as to… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Surely nothing is more reproachful to a being endowed with reason, than to resign its powers to the influence of the air,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
We are told, that the black bear is innocent; but I should not like to trust myself with him. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Madam, before you flatter a man so grossly to his face, you should consider whether or not your flattery is worth his… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Dishonor waits on perfidy. A man should blush to think a falsehood; it is the crime of cowards. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The faults of a writer of acknowledged excellence are more dangerous, because the influence of his example is more extensive; and the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The care of the critic should be to distinguish error from inability, faults of inexperience from defects of nature. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To grieve for evils is often wrong; but it is much more wrong to grieve without them. All sorrow that lasts longer… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Those who have any intention of deviating from the beaten roads of life, and acquiring a reputation superior to names hourly swept… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is very strange, and very melancholy, that the paucity of human pleasures should persuade us ever to call hunting one of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every one should consider himself as intrusted not only with his own conduct, but with that of others; and as accountable, not… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Lawyers know life practically. A bookish man should always have them to converse with. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A man of sense and education should meet a suitable companion in a wife. It is a miserable thing when the conversation… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If a man is in doubt whether it would be better for him to expose himself to martyrdom or not, he should… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Critics ought never to be consulted, but while errors may yet be rectified or insipidity suppressed. But when the book has once… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Sir, I did not count your glasses of wine, why should you number up my cups of tea? — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No man is without some quality, by the due application of which he might deserve well of the world; and whoever he… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
No man is much regarded by the rest of the world. He that considers how little he dwells upon the condition of… — 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
