Johnson, Samuel Quotes

There is no book so poor that it would not be a prodigy if wholly wrought out by a single mind, without the aid of prior investigators.

We are inclined to believe those we do not know, because they have never deceived us.

Marriage has man pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.

... generally the last passion of those lives of which the first part has been squandered in pleasure, and the second devoted to ambition.

I am a great friend to public amusements, for they keep people from vice.

But grant, the virtues of a temp'rate prime Bless with an age exempt from scorn or crime; An age that melts with unperceived decay, And glides in modest innocence away.

Every man of any education would rather be called a rascal, than accused of deficiency in the graces.

The happiest part of a man's life is what he passes lying awake in bed in the morning.

Nobody can write the life of a man but those who have eat and drunk and lived in social intercourse with him.

A man ought to read just as his inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good.

Books that you carry to the fire, and hold readily in your hand, are most useful after all.

What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.

You are much surer that you are doing good when you pay money to those who work, as the recompense of their labor, than when you give money merely in charity.

He who waits to do a great deal of good at once, will never do anything.

This merriment of parsons is mighty offensive.

Prepare for death, if here at night you roam, and sign your will before you sup from home.

There are charms made only for distance admiration.

Do not accustom yourself to consider debt only as an inconvenience. You will find it a calamity.

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 by strength, but perseverance.

Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.