Novelty is indeed necessary to preserve eagerness and alacrity; but art and nature have stores inexhaustible by human intellects, and every moment… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He to whom many objects of pursuit arise at the same time, will frequently hesitate between different desires till a rival has… — 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
Never, my dear Sir, do you take it into your head that I do not love you; you may settle yourself in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man naturally persuades himself that he can keep his resolutions, nor is he convinced of his imbecility but by length of… — 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
Complaints are vain; we will try to. do better another time. To-morrow and to-morrow. A few designs and a few failures, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Surely a long life must be somewhat tedious, since we are forced to call in so many trifling things to help rid… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that outlives a wife whom he has long loved, sees himself disjoined from the only mind that has the same hopes,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is not indeed certain, that the most refined caution will find a proper time for bringing a man to the knowledge… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All discourse of which others cannot partake is not only an irksome usurpation of the time devoted to pleasure and entertainment, but,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
General irregularities are known in time to remedy themselves. By the constitution of ancient Egypt, the priesthood was continually increasing, till at… — 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
Being married to those sleepy-souled women is just like playing at cards for nothing: no passion is excited and the time is… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
How many may a man of diffusive conversation count among his acquaintances, whose lives have been signalized by numberless escapes; who never… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A man should be careful never to tell tales of himself to his own disadvantage. People may be amused at the time,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“The opinions prevalent in one age, as truths above the reach of controversy, are confuted and rejected in another, and rise again… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The present time is seldom able to fill desire or imagination with immediate enjoyment, and we are forced to supply its deficiencies… — 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
I know not anything more pleasant, or more instructive, than to compare experience with expectation, or to register from time to time… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In proportion as our cares are employed upon the future, they are abstracted from the present, from the only time which we… — 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
Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
