Samuel Johnson quotes - page 23

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations. (Samuel Johnson)
It is wonderful to think how men of very large estates not only spend their yearly income, but are often actually in want of money. It is clear, they have not value for what they spend. View quote
Samuel Johnson
It is the only sensual pleasure without vice. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. View quote
Samuel Johnson
We are perpetually moralists, but we are geometricians only by chance. Our intercourse with intellectual nature is necessary our speculations upon matter are voluntary, and at leisure. View quote
Samuel Johnson
All power of fancy over reason is a degree of madness. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Perhaps man is the only being that can properly be called idle. View quote
Samuel Johnson
He that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I would advise you Sir, to study algebra, if you are not already an adept in it your head would be less muddy, and you will leave off tormenting your neighbours about paper and packthread, while we all live together in a world that is bursting with sin. View quote
Samuel Johnson
There are indeed, in the present corruption of mankind, many incitements to forsake truth the need of palliating our own faults and the convenience of imposing on the ignorance or credulity of others so frequently occur so many immediate evils are. (Samuel Johnson)
It is better a man should be abused than forgotten. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Idleness and timidity often despair without being overcome, and forbear attempts for fear of being defeated and we may promote the invigoration of faint endeavors, by showing what has already been performed. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Every man may be observed to have a certain strain of lamentation, some peculiar theme of complaint on which he dwells in his moments of dejection. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Life will not bear refinement. You must do as other people do. View quote
Samuel Johnson
He was dull in a new way, and that made many think him great. View quote
Samuel Johnson
So different are the colors of life, as we look forward to the future, or backward to the past and so different the opinions and sentiments which this contrariety of appearance naturally produces, that the conversation of the old and young ends generally with contempt or pity on either side. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I know not, Madam, that you have a right, upon moral principles, to make your readers suffer so much. View quote
Samuel Johnson
It is in refinement and elegance that the civilized man differs from the savage. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Scarce any man becomes eminently disagreeable but by a departure from his real character, and an attempt at something for which nature or education has left him unqualified. View quote
Samuel Johnson
How few of his friends' houses would a man choose to be at when he is sick. (Samuel Johnson)
Words are the daughters of the earth, And things are the sons of heaven. View quote
Samuel Johnson
He that has once concluded it lawful to resist power, when it wants merit, will soon find a want of merit, to justify his resistance to power. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Health is so necessary to all the duties, as well as pleasures of life, that the crime of squandering it is equal to the folly. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Life is a pill which none of us can bear to swallow without gilding. View quote
Samuel Johnson