Samuel Johnson quotes - page 9

Superfluous lags the veteran on the stage. (Samuel Johnson)
A transition from an author's book to his conversation, is too often like an entrance into a large city, after a distant prospect. Remotely, we see nothing but spires of temples and turrets of palaces, and imagine it the residence of splendour, grandeur and magnificence; but when we have passed the gates, we find it perplexed with narrow passages, disgraced with despicable cottages, embarrassed with obstructions, and clouded with smoke. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Shakspeare never has six lines together without a fault. Perhaps you may find seven: but this does not refute my general assertion. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I never have sought the world; the world was not to seek me. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I have always suspected that the reading is right, which requires many words to prove it wrong; and the emendation wrong, that cannot without so much labour appear to be right. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I remember very well, when I was at Oxford, an old gentleman said to me, "Young man, ply your book diligently now, and acquire a stock of knowledge; for when years come upon you, you will find that poring upon books will be but an irksome task." View quote
Samuel Johnson
Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Leisure and curiosity might soon make great advances in useful knowledge, were they not diverted by minute emulation and laborious trifles. View quote
Samuel Johnson
We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value to its scarcity. (Samuel Johnson)
The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it. View quote
Samuel Johnson
A man is very apt to complain of the ingratitude of those who have risen far above him. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Hope is necessary in every condition. View quote
Samuel Johnson
You teach your daughters the diameters of the planets and wonder when you are done that they do not delight in your company. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Truth, Sir, is a cow which will yield such people no more milk, and so, they are gone to milk the bull. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works. View quote
Samuel Johnson
You raise your voice when you should reinforce your argument. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eye. View quote
Samuel Johnson
You can never be wise unless you love reading. (Samuel Johnson)
Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Men do not suspect faults which they do not commit. View quote
Samuel Johnson
All intellectual improvement arises from leisure. View quote
Samuel Johnson