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Quotes by Sam'L Johnson
Moral Philosophy. The General Notions of Rights, and Laws Explained. Bk. II. Ch. III. Attack is the reaction; I never think I have hit hard unless it rebounds.— filed under Action
Johnson. 1775. When desperate ills demand a speedy cure, Distrust is cowardice, and prudence folly.— filed under Action
Superfluous lags the veteran on the stage, Till pitying Nature signs the last release, And bids afflicted worth retire to peace.— filed under Affliction
Church-Porch. Unmoved though Witlings sneer and Rivals rail; Studious to please, yet not ashamed to fail.— filed under Ambition
I am a great friend to public amusements; for they keep people from vice. U.— filed under Amusements
Cow. A cow is a very good animal in the field; but we turn her out of a garden.— filed under Animals-Dog
The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.— filed under Applause
I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.— filed under Argument
Pope's trans. In misery's darkest cavern known, His useful care was ever nigh, Where hopeless anguish pour'd his groan, And lonely want retir'd to die.— filed under Benevolence
Breakfast-Table. XI. Medicine for the soul. Inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes. Diodorus Siculus. I. 49, 3. A man will turn over half a library to make one book.— filed under Books
Johnson. 1775. Books have always a secret influence on the understanding; we cannot at pleasure obliterate ideas: he that reads books of science, though without any desire fixed of improvement, will grow more knowing; he that entertains himself with moral or religious treatises, will imperceptibly advance in goodness; the ideas which are often offered to the mind, will at last find a lucky moment when it is disposed to receive them.— filed under Books
But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold, Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.— filed under Bribery
Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats, And ask no questions but the price of votes.— filed under Bribery
Thoughts. Sternberg's Novels. He is no wise man that will quit a certainty for an uncertainty.— filed under Change
Character. A very unclubable man.— filed under Character
Johnson. 1764. Note. If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.— filed under Character
Johnson. 1763. Officious, innocent, sincere, Of every friendless name the friend.— filed under Character
It (hunting) was the labour of the savages of North America, but the amusement of the gentlemen of England.— filed under Chastity
London! the needy villain's general home, The common sewer of Paris and of Rome! With eager thirst, by folly or by fate, Sucks in the dregs of each corrupted state.— filed under Cities-Dresden
Pope's trans. His conversation does not show the minute hand; but he strikes the hour very correctly.— filed under Conversation
Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.— filed under Conversation
Tom Birch is as brisk as a bee in conversation; but no sooner does he take a pen in his hand, than it becomes a torpedo to him, and benumbs all his faculties.— filed under Conversation
The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees is the high-road that leads him to England.— filed under Countries-America
To shake with laughter ere the jest they hear, To pour at will the counterfeited tear; And, as their patron hints the cold or heat, To shake in dog-days, in December sweat. S.— filed under Courtiers
When desp'rate ills demand a speedy cure, Distrust is cowardice, and prudence folly.— filed under Cowardice-Cowards
Then with no fiery throbbing pain, No cold gradations of decay, Death broke at once the vital chain, And freed his soul the nearest way.— filed under Death
Abbey. An age that melts with unperceiv'd decay, And glides in modest innocence away.— filed under Decay
Many things difficult to design prove easy to performance.— filed under Difficulties
Some fiery fop, with new commission vain, Who sleeps on brambles till he kills his man; Some frolic drunkard, reeling from a feast, Provokes a broil, and stabs you for a jest.— filed under Duelling
For a man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he does of his dinner.— filed under Eating
of Johnson. For I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly will hardly mind anything else.— filed under Eating
Studies and Summer Rambles. Much may be made of a Scotchman if he be caught young.— filed under Education
He touched nothing that he did not adorn. Quoted by Sam'l Johnson in his Epitaph on Goldsmith. The hand of him here torpid lies, That drew th' essential form of grace, Here closed in death th' attentive eyes That saw the manners in the face.— filed under And Cared Not How It Blew
Sir, your levellers wish to level down as far as themselves: but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves.— filed under Equality
Round numbers are always false.— filed under Falsehood
Washington Allst. He left the name, at which the world grew pale, To point a moral, or adorn a tale.— filed under Fame
Francis' trans: Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate?— filed under Fate
If the man who turnip cries Cry not when his father dies, 'Tis a proof that he had rather, Have a turnip than his father.— filed under Festivities
Place of Retirement. The myrtle (ensign of supreme command, Consigned by Venus to Melissa's hand) Not less capricious than a reigning fair, Oft favors, oft rejects a lover's prayer; In myrtle shades oft sings the happy swain In myrtle shades despairing ghosts complain.— filed under Flowers-Pansy
Pope's trans. 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 constant repair.— filed under Friendship
Johnson, 1755. Friendship, peculiar boon of Heaven, The noble mind's delight and pride, To men and angels only given, To all the lower world denied.— filed under Friendship
The endearing elegance of female friendship.— filed under Friendship
Francis' trans. The lust of gold succeeds the rage of conquest; The lust of gold, unfeeling and remorseless! The last corruption of degenerate man.— filed under Gold
Platform. 1884. The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary commonwealth.— filed under Government
Seven Gables. The Flight of Two Owls. How guilt once harbour'd in the conscious breast, Intimidates the brave, degrades the great.— filed under Guilt
A man used to vicissitudes is not easily dejected.— filed under Habit
Bryant's trans. "He was a very good hater."— filed under Hatred
Anecdotes of Johnson. P. 38. I like a good hater. C.— filed under Hatred
And, bid him go to hell, to hell he goes.— filed under Hell
Hell is paved with good intentions. C.— filed under Hell
Bryant's trans. Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and when he has reached ground encumbers him with help?— filed under Help
A blade of grass is always a blade of grass, whether in one country or another.— filed under Herbage
The Catspaw. Where there is no hope, there can be no endeavour.— filed under Hope
Pope's trans. Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.— filed under Idleness
Of Expecting Preferment. Maxim 1. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.— filed under Impossibility
A man is very apt to complain of the ingratitude of those who have risen far above him.— filed under Ingratitude
Breakfast Table. I. Of all the griefs that harass the distress'd, Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest; Fate never wounds more deep the generous heart, Than when a blockhead's insult points the dart.— filed under Jesting
The first step to self-knowledge is self-distrust. Nor can we attain to any kind of knowledge, except by a like process. J. C. and A. W. HARE-Guesses at Truth. P. 454. A desire of knowledge is the natural feeling of mankind; and every human being whose mind is not debauched, will be willing to give all that he has to get knowledge.— filed under Knowledge
Johnson. Conversation on Saturday, July 30, 1763. Knowledge is more than equivalent to force.— filed under Knowledge
Chap. XIII. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.— filed under Knowledge
his Round Table. Introduction. St. 6. Language is only the instrument of science, and words are but the signs of ideas.— filed under Language
There mark what ills the scholar's life assail, Toil, envy, want, the patron, and the jail.— filed under Learning
Catch, then, oh! 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!— filed under Life
"Enlarge my life with multitude of days!" In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays: Hides from himself its state, and shuns to know, That life protracted is protracted woe.— filed under Life
In life's last scene what prodigies surprise, Fears of the brave, and follies of the wise! From Marlborough's eyes the streams of dotage flow, And Swift expires a driveller and a show.— filed under Life
Learn that the present hour alone is man's.— filed under Life
Reflect that life, like every other blessing, Derives its value from its use alone.— filed under Life
Pope's trans. He was so generally civil, that nobody thanked him for it.— filed under Martyrdom
The Epitaph. Employment, sir, and hardships, prevent melancholy.— filed under Melancholy
Pope's trans. The true, strong, and sound mind is the mind that can embrace equally great things and small.— filed under Mind
Pope's trans. His death eclipsed the gayety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.— filed under Mourning
Independence. . In lapidary inscriptions a man is not upon oath— filed under November
Let Observation, with extensive view, Survey mankind from China to Peru.— filed under Observation
And sure the Eternal Master found The single talent well employ'd.— filed under Observation
Wentworth Dillon's trans. The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give. For we that live to please, must please to live.— filed under Observation
Poetry. A man may write at any time if he set himself doggedly to it.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
Johnson. 1773. Each change of many-coloured life he drew, Exhausted worlds and then imagined new: Existence saw him spurn her bounded reign, And panting Time toil'd after him in vain.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
Opening of the Drury Lane Theatre. No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
Johnson. 1776. The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
There are two things which I am confident I can do very well; one is an introduction to any literary work, stating what it is to contain, and how it should be executed in the most perfect manner.— filed under Occupations-Authorship
There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.— filed under Occupations-Hatters
The law is the last result of human wisdom acting upon human experience for the benefit of the public.— filed under Occupations-Law
Matthew XX. Trade's proud empire hastes to swift decay.— filed under Occupations-Mercantile
Sir, a woman preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well: but you are surprised to find it done at all.— filed under Occupations-Preaching
Of a thousand shavers, two do not shave so much alike as not to be distinguished.— filed under Occupations-Tobacconists
For patience, sov'reign o'er transmuted ill.— filed under Patience
Jefferson Birthday Celebration in 1830. See W. J. SUMNER'S Life of Jackson. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.— filed under Patriotism
Johnson. 1775. That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Iona.— filed under Patriotism
I fly from pleasure, because pleasure has ceased to please: I am lonely because I am miserable.— filed under Aaron Burr
Pope's trans. The essence of poetry is invention; such invention as, by producing something unexpected, surprises and delights.— filed under Poetry
Wentworth Dillon's trans. Was ever poet so trusted before!— filed under Poets
All this [wealth] excludes but one evil,poverty. S.— filed under Poverty
Dialogue II. Fitted him to a T.— filed under Proverbs
Who does not love wine, women, and song Remains a fool his whole life long. Attributed to LUTHER, probably a saying of J. H. Voss. Who drives fat oxen should himself be fat.— filed under Proverbs
We that live to please must please to live.— filed under Chilo
Gentleman. The first years of man must make provision for the last.— filed under Prudence
Abuse. Loyterers. Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of the language.— filed under Quotation
Letter LXXXIII. A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good.— filed under Reading
Johnson. 1763. What is twice read is commonly better remembered than what is transcribed.— filed under Reading
To be of no Church is dangerous.— filed under Religion
son, Prince Henry. The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary commonwealth.— filed under Royalty
Being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned. S.— filed under Ships
Pope's trans. O sleep, we are beholden to thee, sleep; Thou bearest angels to us in the night, Saints out of heaven with palms. Seen by thy light Sorrow is some old tale that goeth not deep; Love is a pouting child. JEAN INGELOw-Sleep. I never take a nap after dinner but when I have had a bad night, and then the nap takes me.— filed under Sleep
I live in the crowds of jollity, not so much to enjoy company as to shun myself.— filed under Society
The limbs will quiver and move after the soul is gone.— filed under Sorrow
Breakfast-Table. VI. Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes, And pause awhile from Learning to be wise; There mark what ills the scholar's life assail, Toil, envy, want, the patron, and the gaol. See nations, slowly wise and meanly just, To buried merit raise the tardy bust.— filed under Students
He is not only dull himself. but the cause of dulness in others.— filed under Stupidity
Peace courts his hand, but spreads her charms in vain; "Think nothing gain'd," he cries, "till naught remain."— filed under Success
And sure th' Eternal Master found His single talent well employ'd.— filed under Talents
I am glad that he thanks God for anything.— filed under Thankfulness
Jerrold's Wit. Time. And panting Time toil'd after him in vain.— filed under Time
Bryant's trans. As the Spanish proverb says, "He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies must carry the wealth of the Indies with him." So it is in travelling: a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.— filed under Travelling
Johnson. 1778. Let him go abroad to a distant country; let him go to some place where he is not known. Don't let him go to the devil where he is known.— filed under Travelling
Johnson. 1773. The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and, instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are. C.— filed under Travelling
Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men ; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.— filed under Wine And Spirits
Jerrold's Wit. Wit. Wit. This man [Chesterfield] I thought had been a lord among wits; but I find he is only a wit among lords.— filed under Wit
Johnsoniana. 617. Ladies, stock and tend your hive, Trifle not at thirty-five; For, howe'er we boast and strive, Life declines from thirty-five; He that ever hopes to thrive Must begin by thirty-five. C.— filed under Sam'L Johnson-Seward's
Wretched, un-idea'd girls.— filed under Sam'L Johnson-Seward's
Pope's trans. I am not yet so lost in lexicography, as to forget that words are the daughters of earth, and that things are the sons of heaven.— filed under Words
WORLD (THE). This world, where much is to be done and little to be known.— filed under Work
Pope's trans. This mournful truth is everywhere confess'd, Slow rises worth by poverty depress'd.— filed under Worth
Towering in confidence of twenty-one.— filed under Youth
in the Christian Race. I remember a passage in Goldsmith's "Vicar of Wakefield," which he was afterwards fool enough to expunge: "I do not love a man who is zealous for nothing."— filed under Zeal