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
To love one that is great, is almost to be great one's self.
There are charms made only for distance admiration.
Where there is no hope there can be no endeavor
Man is not weak; knowledge is more than equivalent to force.
Let no man rashly determine, that his unwillingness to be pleased is a proof of understanding, unless his superiority appears from less doubtful evidence; for though peevishness may sometimes justly boast its descent from learning or from wit, it is
Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.
Honesty is not greater where elegance is less.
Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.
He is a benefactor of mankind who contracts the great rules of life into short sentences, that may be easily impressed on the memory, and so recur habitually to the mind.
I am a great friend to public amusements, for they keep the people from vice.
It was not for me to bandy civilities with my Sovereign
Lexicographer. A writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge.
In the most general applause discordant voices will always be heard
Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.