All Samuel Johnson Quotes
- It is true that of far the greater part of things, we must content ourselves with such knowledge as description may exhibit, or analogy supply;… Always Incomplete
- Other things may be seized by might, or purchased with money, but knowledge is to be gained only by study, and study to be prosecuted… Gained
- Though it is evident, that not more than one age or people can deserve the censure of being more averse from learning than any other,… Age
- The number of such as live without the ardour of inquiry is very small, though many content themselves with cheap amusements, and waste their lives… Amusement
- The specualtist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity; and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows… Content
- Knowledge is praised and desired by multitudes whom her charms could never rouse from the couch of sloth; whom the faintest invitation of pleasure draws… Any
- To understand the works of celebrated authors, to comprehend their systems, and retain their reasonings, is a task more than equal to common intellects; and… Abilities
- Persius has justly observed, that knowledge is nothing to him who is not known by others to possess it: to the scholar himself it is… Advantage
- All knowledge is of itself of some value. There is nothing so minute or inconsiderable, that I would not rather know it than not. In… Able
- An exotic and irrational entertainment. Entertainment
- The chief art of learning, as Locke has observed, is to attempt but little at a time. The widest excursions of the mind are made… Accumulation
- ...a man estimable for his learning, amiable for his life, and venerable for his piety. Arbuthnot was a man of great comprehension, skilful in his… Able
- His death eclipsed the gayety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure. Death
- An author places himself uncalled before the tribunal of criticism and solicits fame at the hazard of disgrace. Author
- Was ever poet so trusted before? Inspirational
- The roads of science are narrow, so that they who travel them, must wither follow or meet one another... Follow
- Madam, before you flatter a man so grossly to his face, you should consider whether or not your flattery is worth his having. Consider
- An Englishman is content to say nothing when he has nothing to say. Content
- When two Eglishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather. English Language
- Every man is rich or poor according to the proportion between his desires and his enjoyments; any enlargement of wishes is therefore equally destructive to… According
- Many of our miseries are merely comparative: we are often made unhappy, not by the presence of any real evil, but by the absence of… Absence
- Plenty is the original cause of many of our needs; and even the poverty, which is so frequent and distressful in civilized nations, proceeds often… Cause
- That the happiness of man may still remain imperfect, as wants in this place are easily supplied, new wants likewise are easily created; every man,… Always Increase
- To mean understandings, it is sufficient honour to be numbered amongst the lowest labourers of learning; but different abilities must find different tasks. To hew… Abilities
- It may be observed in general that the future is purchased by the present. It is not possible to secure distant or permanent happiness but… Distant