Samuel Johnson ✓

(1709–1784) linguist Kingdom of Great Britain

1347 quotes in 8644 categories

[Wikidata] English writer and lexicographer (1709–1784)... | [Wikipedia] Samuel Johnson, often called Dr. Johnson, was an English writer and polymath who made lasting contributions as a poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, literary critic, sermonist, biographer, editor, and lexicographer. The work for which he is best known is his 42,733-entry Dictionary of the English

All Samuel Johnson Quotes

• The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are. Adventure
• Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others. All
• Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good. Belief
• The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make… Book
• No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a… Army
• Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions. Absence
• Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. All
• The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. Absolutely
• Of the blessings set before you make your choice, and be content. Blessing
• A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the true value of time, and will not suffer it to pass away in… Family
• If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not… Christian
• Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged. Act
• We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting. Disappointed
• When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. Afford
• It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust. Better
• Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. Last
• Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. Fondness
• Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. Dangerous
• Books like friends, should be few and well-chosen. Book
• Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. Certain
• Getting money is not all a man's business: to cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life. All
• What is easy is seldom excellent. Easy
• A man is in general better pleased when he has a good dinner upon his table, than when his wife talks Greek. Better
• You hesitate to stab me with a word, and know not - silence is the sharper sword. Hesitate
• No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring. Appreciation

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