Samuel Johnson Quotes
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We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.
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I do not know, sir, that the fellow is an infidel; but if he be an infidel, he is an infidel as a dog is an infidel; that is to say, he has never thought upon the subject.
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I am very fond of the company of ladies. I like their beauty, I like their delicacy, I like their vivacity, and I like their silence.
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The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.
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Every state of society is as luxurious as it can be. Men always take the best they can get.
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Everything that enlarges the sphere of human powers, that shows man he can do what he thought he could not do, is valuable.
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As the Spanish proverb says, 'He, who would bring home the wealth of the Indies, must carry the wealth of the Indies with him.' So it is in travelling; a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.
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There is in this world no real delight (excepting those of sensuality), but exchange of ideas in conversation.
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When any calamity has been suffered the first thing to be remembered is, how much has been escaped.
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To let friendship die away by negligence and silence, is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of this weary pilgrimage.
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PATRON, n. One who countenances, supports or protects. Commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is repaid in flattery.
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Life admits not of delays; when pleasure can be had, it is fit to catch it. Every hour takes away part of the things that please us, and perhaps part of our disposition to be pleased.
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How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?
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While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till grief be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.
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When a man says he had pleasure with a woman he does not mean conversation.
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The Churchyard abounds with images which find a mirror in every mind, and with sentiments to which every bosom returns an echo.
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Sir, your levellers wish to level down as far as themselves; but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves.
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Always, Sir, set a high value on spontaneous kindness. He whose inclination prompts him to cultivate your friendship of his own accord, will love you more than one whom you have been at pains to attach to you.
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Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it makes some virtues impracticable, and others extremely difficult.
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Employment, sir, and hardships prevent melancholy.
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Was ever poet so trusted before?
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There Poetry shall tune her sacred voice,And wake from ignorance the Western World.
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Here's to the next insurrection of the negroes in the West Indies.
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There are, in every age, new errors to be rectified, and new prejudices to be opposed.