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
Pointed axioms and acute replies fly loose about the world, and are assigned successively to those whom it may be the fashion… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As to the Christian religion, besides the strong evidence which we have for it, there is a balance in its favor from… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I would advise you Sir, to study algebra, if you are not already an adept in it: your head would be less… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The botanist looks upon the astronomer as a being unworthy of his regard; and he that is glowing great and happy by… — 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
There is in this world no real delight (excepting those of sensuality), but exchange of ideas in conversation. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Much mischief is done in the world with very little interest or design. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Politics are now nothing more than means of rising in the world. With this sole view do men engage in politics, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man, however hopeless his pretensions may appear, has some project by which he hopes to rise to reputation; some art by… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man is prompted by the love of himself to imagine that he possesses some qualities superior, either in kind or degree,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Among the numerous requisites that must concur to complete an author, few are of more importance than an early entrance into the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The whole world is put in motion by the wish for riches and the dread of poverty. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The appearance and retirement of actors are the great events of the theatrical world; and their first performances fill the pit with… — 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
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
Like an image in a dream the world is troubled by love, hatred, and other poisons. So long as the dream lasts,… — 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
Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes, And pause a while from learning to be wise. There mark what ills… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
When a poet mentions the spring, we know that the zephyrs are about to whisper, that the groves are to recover their… — 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
