[C]ourage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, sir, when he leaves our houses let… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is dangerous for mortal beauty, or terrestrial virtue, to be examined by too strong a light. The torch of Truth shows… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In youth, it is common to measure right and wrong by the opinion of the world, and in age, to act without… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
That friendship may be at once fond and lasting, there must not only be equal virtue on each part, but virtue of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
His virtues walked their narrow round, Nor made a pause, nor left a void; And sure the Eternal Master found The single… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The round of a passionate man's life is in contracting debts in his passion, which his virtue obliges him to pay. He… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Solitude is dangerous to reason, without being favorable to virtue. Remember that the solitary mortal is certainly luxurious, probably superstitious, and possibly… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To purchase Heaven has gold the power? Can gold remove the mortal hour? In life can love be bought with gold? Are… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. The acknowledgment of those virtues on which conscience congratulates us is… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among those whose reputation is exhausted in a short time by its own luxuriance are the writers who take advantage of present… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
They whose activity of imagination is often shifting the scenes of expectation, are frequently subject to such sallies of caprice as make… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Wisdom and virtue are by no means sufficient, without the supplemental laws of good-breeding, to secure freedom from degenerating into rudeness, or… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To love their country has been considered as virtue in men, whose love could not be otherwise than blind, because their preference… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Without good humour, learning and bravery can only confer that superiority which swells the heart of the lion in the desert, where… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The business of life summons us away from useless grief, and calls us to the exercise of those virtues of which we… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is no wisdom in useless and hopeless sorrow, but there is something in it so like virtue, that he who is… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is certain that success naturally confirms in us a favourable opinion of our own abilities. Scarce any man is willing to… — 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