Samuel Johnson Quotes
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Books like friends, should be few and well-chosen.
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There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern.
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It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.
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The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery.
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There are goods so opposed that we cannot seize both, but, by too much prudence, may pass between them at too great a distance to reach either.
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The greater, far the greater number of those who rave and rail, and inquire and accuse, neither suspect nor fear, nor care for the publick; but hope to force their way to riches, by virulence and invective, and are vehement and clamorous, only that they may be sooner hired to be silent.
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Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.
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Getting money is not all a man's business: to cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life.
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A man is in general better pleased when he has a good dinner upon his table, than when his wife talks Greek.
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Surely a long life must be somewhat tedious, since we are forced to call in so many trifling things to help rid us of our time, which will never return.
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If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.
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Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those who we cannot resemble.
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The world is like a grand staircase, some are going up and some are going down.
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You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do more good to them by spending it in luxury, than by giving it; for by spending it in luxury, you make them exert industry, whereas by giving it, you keep them idle.
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Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
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By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show.
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Were it not for imagination a man would be as happy in arms of a chambermaid as of a duchess.
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Every man is rich or poor according to the proportion between his desires and his enjoyments.
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Actions are visible, though motives are secret.
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Paradise Lost is a book that, once put down, is very hard to pick up again.
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When making your choice in life, do not neglect to live.
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Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.
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Many things difficult to design prove easy to performance.
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If pleasure was not followed by pain, who would forbear it?