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
A wicked fellow is the most pious when he takes to it. He'll beat you all at piety.
At seventy-seven it is time to be earnest.
This doctrine (of ruling passions) is in itself pernicious as well as false: its tendency is to produce the belief of a kind of moral predestination, or overruling principle which cannot be resisted; he that admits it, is prepared to comply with ever
There are minds which easily sink into submission, that look on grandeur with undistinguishing reverence, and discover no defect where there is elevation of rank and affluence of riches
To love one that is great, is almost to be great one's self.
Adversity has ever been considered the state in which a man most easily becomes acquainted with himself.
The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken
All theory is against freedom of the will; all experience for it.
So far is it from being true that men are naturally equal, that no two people can be half an hour together, but one shall acquire an evident superiority over the other.
I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government other than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual.
You can't be in politics unless you can walk in a room and know in a minute who's for you and who's against you.
There is no private house in which people can enjoy themselves so well as at a capital tavern... No, Sir; there is nothing which has yet been contrived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.
In order that all men may be taught to speak the truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.