Samuel Johnson quotes - page 20

Such seems to be the disposition of man, that whatever makes a distinction produces rivalry. (Samuel Johnson)
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other. View quote
Samuel Johnson
There is no observation more frequently made by such as employ themselves in surveying the conduct of mankind, than that marriage, though the dictate of nature, and the institution of Providence, is yet very often the cause of misery, and that those who enter into that state can seldom forbear to express their repentance, and their envy of those whom either chance or caution hath withheld from it. View quote
Samuel Johnson
A man sometimes starts up a patriot, only by disseminating discontent, and propagating reports of secret influence, of dangerous counsels, of violated rights, and encroaching usurpation. This practice is no certain note of patriotism. To instigate the populace with rage beyond the provocation, is to suspend publick happiness, if not to destroy it. He is no lover of his country, that unnecessarily disturbs its peace. View quote
Samuel Johnson
An individual may, indeed, forfeit his liberty by a crime; but he cannot by that crime forfeit the liberty of his children. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I fancy mankind may come, in time, to write all aphoristically, except in narrative. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Unmoved though Witlings sneer and Rivals rail, Studious to please, yet not ashamed to fail. View quote
Samuel Johnson
That book is good in vain, which the reader throws away. View quote
Samuel Johnson
It ought to be deeply impressed on the minds of all who have voices in this national deliberation, that no man can deserve a seat in parliament, who is not a patriot. View quote
Samuel Johnson
I will not undertake to maintain against the concurrent and unvaried testimony of all ages and of all nations. There is no people, rude or learned, among whom apparitions of the dead are not related and believed. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Among these unhappy mortals is the writer of dictionaries, whom mankind have considered, not as the pupil, but the slave of science, the pioneer of literature, doomed only to remove rubbish and clear obstructions from the paths through which Learning and Genius press forward to conquest and glory, without bestowing a smile on the humble drudge that facilitates their progress. Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few. (Samuel Johnson)
All the performances of human art, at which we look with praise or wonder, are instances of the resistless force of perseverance: it is by this that the quarry becomes a pyramid, and that distant countries are united with canals. View quote
Samuel Johnson
That it is doubted by single cavillers can very little weaken the general evidence, and some who deny it with their tongues confess it by their fears. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Patriotism is not necessarily included in rebellion. A man may hate his king, yet not love his country. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Strange! that this general fraud from day to day Should fill the world with wretches undetected. View quote
Samuel Johnson
It is seldom that we find either men or places such as we expect them. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Ye Fops, be silent: and ye Wits, be just. View quote
Samuel Johnson
It is necessary to hope... for hope itself is happiness. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Justice is my being allowed to do whatever I like. Injustice is whatever prevents my doing so. View quote
Samuel Johnson
My nights are flatulent and unquiet. View quote
Samuel Johnson
Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first. (Samuel Johnson)
Enlarge my life with multitude of days! View quote
Samuel Johnson
Memory is the mother of all wisdom. View quote
Samuel Johnson
You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. View quote
Samuel Johnson
He that undervalues himself will undervalue others, and he that undervalues others will oppress them. View quote
Samuel Johnson