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
The hostility perpetually exercised between one man and another, is caused by the desire of many for that which only few can… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Conjecture as to things useful, is good; but conjecture as to what it would be useless to know, is very idle. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
To exact of every man who writes that he should say something new, would be to reduce authors to a small number;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
How gloomy would be the mansions of the dead to him who did not know that he should never die: that what… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Language is the dress of thought; and as the noblest mien or most graceful action would be degraded and obscured by a… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If, sir, men were all virtuous, I should with great alacrity teach them all to fly. But what would be the security… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is thus that mutual cowardice keeps us in peace. Were one half of mankind brave and one cowards, the brave would… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Men who have flattered themselves into this opinion of their own abilities, look down on all who waste their lives over books,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
All envy would be extinguished, if it were universally known that there are none to be envied. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Labor, if it were not necessary for existence, would be indispensable for the happiness of man. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions. — 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
I would advise you, Sir, to study algebra, if you are not an adept already in it: your head would get less… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It seems not more reasonable to leave the right of printing unrestrained, because writers may be afterwards censured, than it would be… — 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
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
All envy is proportionate to desire; we are uneasy at the attainments of another, according as we think our own happiness would… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Little would be wanting to the happiness of life, if every man could conform to the right as soon as he was… — 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
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
