James Boswell quotes - page 2

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:

I have discovered that we may be in some degree whatever character we choose. Besides, practice forms a man to anything. (James Boswell)
It is not every man who can be exquisitely miserable, any more than exquisitely happy. View quote
James Boswell
A good pun may be admitted among the smaller excellencies of lively conversation. View quote
James Boswell
Quoting: "Men know that women are an overmatch for them, and therefore they choose the weakest or the most ignorant. If they did not think so, they never could be afraid of women knowing as much as themselves. View quote
James Boswell
It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time. View quote
James Boswell
If venereal delight and the power of propagating the species were permitted only to the virtuous, it would make the world very good. View quote
James Boswell
A page of my journal is like a cake of portable soup. A little may be diffused into a considerable portion. View quote
James Boswell
I suppose no person ever enjoyed with more relish the infusion of this fragrant leaf than did Johnson. View quote
James Boswell
What an insignificant life is this which I am now leading! View quote
James Boswell

James Boswell

James Boswell - Image
Occupation: British Lawyer
Born: October 18, 1740
Died: May 19, 1795
Quotes count: 34
Wikipedia: James Boswell

Related authors

Samuel Johnson - thumbnail
Samuel Johnson  771 
English Writer
Henry James - thumbnail
Henry James  194 
American Writer
Hester Thrale  4 
Welsh Author
Oliver Goldsmith - thumbnail
Oliver Goldsmith  219 
Anglo-Irish Writer
John Wain  4 
English Poet
Edmund Burke - thumbnail
Edmund Burke  366 
Anglo-Irish Statesman
Frances Burney - thumbnail
Frances Burney  56 
English Novelist
Joshua Reynolds - thumbnail
Joshua Reynolds  32 
English Artist
Alexander Pope - thumbnail
Alexander Pope  368 
English Poet
Walter Scott - thumbnail
Walter Scott  199 
Scottish Novelist