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
It is not difficult to conceive, however, that for many reasons a man writes much better than he lives. For without entering… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
They that have grown old in a single state are generally found to be morose, fretful and captious; tenacious of their own… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
London! the needy villain's general home, The common sewer of Paris and of Rome! With eager thirst, by folly or by fate,… — 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
It may be observed in general that the future is purchased by the present. It is not possible to secure distant or… — 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
The really happy woman is the one who can enjoy the scenery when she has to take a detour. Happiness is not… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To live without feeling or exciting sympathy, to be fortunate without adding to the felicity of others, or afflicted without tasting the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Sir, sorrow is inherent in humanity. As you cannot judge two and two to be either five, or three, but certainly four,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Good-humor is a state between gayety and unconcern,--the act or emanation of a mind at leisure to regard the gratification of another. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution can never… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Sorrow is properly that state of the mind in which our desires are fixed upon the past without looking forward to the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Enlarge my life with multitude of days, In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays; Hides from himself his state, and shuns… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among many parallels which men of imagination have drawn between the natural and moral state of the world, it has been observed… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is astonishing that any man can forbear enquiring seriously whether there is a God; whether God is just; whether this life… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In most ages many countries have had part of their inhabitants in a state of slavery; yet it may be doubted whether… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Happiness is enjoyed only in proportion as it is known; and such is the state or folly of man, that it is… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Ease, a neutral state between pain and pleasure ... if it is not rising into pleasure will be falling towards pain. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Marriage is the best state for man in general, and every man is a worst man in proportion to the level he… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know That life protracted is protracted woe. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is no observation more frequently made by such as employ themselves in surveying the conduct of mankind, than that marriage, though… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Pension: An allowance made to anyone without an equivalent. In England it is generally understood to mean pay given to a state… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Study requires solitude, and solitude is a state dangerous to those who are too much accustomed to sink into themselves — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The good of our present state is merely comparative, and the evil which every man feels will be sufficient to disturb and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I have often thought that there has rarely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not be useful;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Yet reason frowns in war's unequal game, Where wasted nations raise a single name; And mortgag'd states their grandsire's wreaths regret, From… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Sleep is a state in which a great part of every life is passed. No animal has yet been discovered, whose existence… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every state of society is as luxurious as it can be. Men always take the best they can get. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I have thought of a pulley to raise me gradually; but that would give me pain, as it would counteract my natural… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Of the present state, whatever it be, we feel and are forced to confess the misery; yet when the same state is… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A country is in a bad state, which is governed only by laws; because a thousand things occur for which laws cannot… — 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
