James Boswell quotes

James Boswell was a Scottish biographer, diarist, and lawyer, best known for his biography of Samuel Johnson. His detailed journals provide a vivid portrait of 18th-century British society and culture. He is celebrated for his keen observation and literary skill in chronicling the lives of others. Here are 34 of his quotes:

As all who come into the country must obey the King, so all who come into an university must be of the Church.

James Boswell

Influence must ever be in proportion to property; and it is right it should.

James Boswell

He who has provoked the lash of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.

James Boswell

In every place, where there is any thing worthy of observation, there should be a short printed directory for strangers.

James Boswell

Then, all censure of a man's self is oblique praise.

James Boswell

Sir,' said Mr Johnson, 'a lawyer has no business with the justice or injustice of the cause which he undertakes, unless his client asks his opinion, and then he is bound to give it honestly. The justice or injustice of the cause is to be decided by the judge.

James Boswell

[...] I observed he [Samuel Johnson] poured a large quantity of it [wine] into a glass, and swallowed it greedily. Everything about his character and manners was forcible and violent; there never was any moderation; many a day did he fast, many a year did he refrain from wine; but when he did eat, it was voraciously; when he did drink wine, it was copiously. He could practise abstinence, but not temperance.

James Boswell

For my own part I think no innocent species of wit or pleasantry should be suppressed: and that a good pun may be admitted among the smaller excellencies of lively conversation.

James Boswell

We must take our friends as they are.

James Boswell

I have found you an argument; I am not obliged to find you an understanding.

James Boswell

His mind resembled the vast ampitheatre, the Colisæum at Rome. In the centre stood his judgement, which like a mighty gladiator, combated those apprehensions that, like the wild beasts of the Arena, were all around in cells, ready to be let out upon him. After a conflict, he drives them back into their dens; but not killing them, they were still assailing him.

James Boswell

Such groundless fears will arise in the mind, before it has resumed its vigour after sleep!

James Boswell

When I called upon Dr. Johnson next morning, I found him highly satisfied with his colloquial prowess the preceding evening. "Well, (said he,) we had good talk." BOSWELL: "Yes, Sir, you tossed and gored several persons."

James Boswell

[...] for the Doctor observed, that no man takes upon himself small blemishes without supposing that great abilities are attributed to him; and that, in short, this affectation of candour or modesty was but another kind of indirect self-praise, and had its foundation in vanity.

James Boswell

My lord and Dr Johnson disputed a little, whether the savage or the London shopkeeper had the best existence; his lordship, as usual, preferring the savage.

James Boswell

Johnson is dead. Let us go to the next best - there is nobody; no man can be said to put you in mind of Johnson.

James Boswell

Boswell is pleasant and gay, For frolic by nature designed; He heedlessly rattles away When company is to his mind.

James Boswell

What can he mean by coming among us? He is not only dull himself, but the cause of dullness in others.

James Boswell

You are a philosopher, Dr. Johnson. I have tried too in my time to be a philosopher; but, I don't know how, cheerfulness was always breaking in.

James Boswell

I jumped up on the benches, roared out, "Damn you, you rascals!", hissed and was in the greatest rage. [...] I hated the English; I wished from my soul that the Union was broke and that we might give them another battle of Bannockburn.

James Boswell

The best good man, with the worst natur'd muse.

James Boswell

We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over. So in a series of acts of kindness there is, at last, one which makes the heart run over.

James Boswell