Quotes by Samuel Johnson

About Samuel Johnson:

Samuel Johnson is also the subject of "the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole of literature": James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labor; but even supposing knowledge to be easily attainable, more people would be content to be ignorant than would take even a little trouble to acquire it.

Samuel Johnson

There is nothing so minute or inconsiderable that I would not rather know it than not know it.

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.

Samuel Johnson

men do not suspect faults which they do not commit

Samuel Johnson

What cannot be repaired is not to be regretted.

Samuel Johnson

Money and time are the heaviest burdens of life . . . the unhappiest of all mortals are those who have more of either than they know how to use.

Samuel Johnson

Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt.

Samuel Johnson

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Samuel Johnson

Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.

Samuel Johnson

A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilisation

Samuel Johnson

Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings." Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson

The only end of writing is to enable readers better to enjoy life or better to endure it.

Samuel Johnson

There is no problem the mind of man can set that the mind of man cannot solve.

Samuel Johnson

To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worsh...

Samuel Johnson

I had done all that I could, and no Man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little.

Samuel Johnson

our triumphant age of plenty is riddled with darker feelings of doubt, cynicism, distrust, boredom and a strange kind of emptiness

Samuel Johnson

Every state of society is as luxurious as it can be. Men always take the best they can get.

Samuel Johnson

a hardened and shameless tea-drinker, who has, for twenty years, diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant; whose kettle has scarcely time to cool; who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and, with tea...

Samuel Johnson

Quotation is the highest compliment you can pay an author.

Samuel Johnson

Justice is my being allowed to do whatever I like. Injustice is whatever prevents my doing so.

Samuel Johnson

All theory is against freedom of the will; all experience for it.

Samuel Johnson

Author Bio

  • NameSamuel Johnson
  • DescriptionEnglish writer
  • AliasesDr Johnson
  • BornSeptember 18, 1709
  • DiedDecember 13, 1784
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionLexicographer; Linguist; Poet; Literary Historian; Writer; Teacher