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
Samuel Johnson quotes about
We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.
When any calamity has been suffered the first thing to be remembered is, how much has been escaped.
Where grief is fresh, any attempt to divert it only irritates.
A am a great friend of public amusements, they keep people from vice.
It is better that some should be unhappy rather than that none should be happy, which would be the case in a general state of equality.
The wretched have no compassion, they can do good only from strong principles of duty.
Adversity leads us to think properly of our state, and so is most beneficial to us.
Everything that enlarges the sphere of human powers, that shows man he can do what he thought he could not do, is valuable.
He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either honesty or courage.
I look upon every day to be lost, in which I do not make a new acquaintance.
I will be conquered; I will not capitulate.
I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know deserves it, but I am afraid he is an attorney.
If pleasure was not followed by pain, who would forbear it?
Let me smile with the wise, and feed with the rich.