Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson, often referred to as Dr Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. Johnson was a devout Anglican and committed Tory, and has been described as "arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history". He is also the subject of "the most famous single biographical work in the whole of literature," James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionNon-Fiction Author
Date of Birth18 September 1709
No man was more foolish when he had not a pen in his hand, or more wise when he had
Fraud and falsehood only dread examination. Truth invites it.
Hope is necessary in every condition.
When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.
There are minds so impatient of inferiority that their gratitude is a species of revenge, and they return benefits, not because recompense is a pleasure, but because obligation is a pain.
The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.
The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book.
The Church does not superstitiously observe days, merely as days, but as memorials of important facts. Christmas might be kept as well upon one day of the year as another; but there should be a stated day for commemorating the birth of our Saviour, because there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected.
Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed.
You can never be wise unless you love reading.
To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition.
Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion.
Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation; you do not find it among gross people.
Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.