Samuel Johnson Quotes
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Sir, what is Poetry? Why, Sir, it is much easier to say what it is not. We all know what light is: but it is not easy to tell what it is.
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Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in historical composition, all the greatest powers of the human mind are quiescent. He has facts ready to his hand; so there is no exercise of invention. Imagination is not required in any high degree; only about as much as is used in the lower kinds of poetry.
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Let observation with extensive viewSurvey mankind, from China to Peru.
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Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.
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Every man naturally persuades himself that he can keep his resolutions, nor is he convinced of his imbecility but by length of time and frequency of experiment.
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I fancy mankind may come, in time, to write all aphoristically, except in narrative; grow weary of preparation, and connection, and illustration, and all those arts by which a big book is made.
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The true Genius is a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction.
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Officious, innocent, sincere,Of every friendless name the friend.
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CLUB - An assembly of good fellows, meeting under certain conditions.
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Cold approbation gave the ling'ring bays,For those who durst not censure, scarce could praise.
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Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of the language.
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A thousand horrid Prodigies foretold it.A feeble government, eluded Laws,A factious Populace, luxurious Nobles,And all the maladies of stinking states.
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There is a wicked inclination in most people to suppose an old man decayed in his intellects. If a young or middle-aged man, when leaving a company, does not remember where he laid his hat, it is nothing; but if the same inattention is discovered in an old man, people will shrug up their shoulders, and say, 'His memory is going.'
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Philips, whose touch harmonious could removeThe pangs of guilty power and hapless love!Rest here, distress'd by poverty no more;Here find that calm thou gav'st so oft before;Sleep undisturb'd within this peaceful shrine,Till angels wake thee with a note like thine!
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As I know more of mankind, I expect less of them, and am ready now to call a man a good man, upon easier terms than I was formerly.
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That fellow seems to me to possess but one idea, and that is a wrong one.
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Catch then, O! catch the transient hour, Improve each moment as it flies; Life's a short Summer - man a flower, He dies - alas! how soon he dies!
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Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed.
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The true art of memory is the art of attention.
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The joy of life is variety; the tenderest love requires to be renewed by intervals of absence.
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All this wealth excludes but one evil,-poverty.
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English superiority and American obedience.
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Some claim a place in the list of patriots, by an acrimonious and unremitting opposition to the court. This mark is by no means infallible. Patriotism is not necessarily included in rebellion. A man may hate his king, yet not love his country.
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'Enlarge my life with multitude of days!'In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays:Hides from himself his state, and shuns to knowThat life protracted is protracted woe.