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
chastity constancy dear either foolish friend playing remember silence trick tricks trying
My Dear Sir: Are you playing the same trick again, and trying who can keep silence longest? Remember that all tricks are either knavish or childish; and that it is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend as upon the chastity o
case equality general none state unhappy
It is better that some should be unhappy than that none should be happy, which would be the case in a general state of equality.
brightest commonly unexpected
Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.
doubt mouth open remain remove silent
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
compared despised easy enjoy falsehoods hardened hear home listen mind opinion others power rather seeing seldom sitting state supported supposed talk temporary winning worth
It is easy to talk of sitting at home contented, when others are seeing or making shows. But not to have been where it is supposed, and seldom supposed falsely, that all would go if they could; to be able to say nothing when everyone is talking; to have no opinion when everyone is judging; to hear exclamations of rapture without power to depress; to listen to falsehoods without right to contradict, is, after all, a state of temporary inferiority, in which the mind is rather hardened by stubbornness, than supported by fortitude. If the world be worth winning let us enjoy it, if it is to be despised let us despise it by conviction. But the world is not to be despised but as it is compared with something better.
ahead beyond emerges grows inorganic organic stairs unlike walks
Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments.
afterwards demands external knowledge
Knowledge always demands increase; it is like fire, which must first be kindled by some external agent, but will afterwards always propagate itself.
bed clock thinks twelve whoever
Whoever thinks of going to bed before twelve o clock is a scoundrel.
agitation body considered constitution external frequent happiness labor man misery nor violent
Such is the constitution of man that labor may be styled its own reward; nor will any external incitements be requisite, if it be considered how much happiness is gained, and how much misery escaped, by frequent and violent agitation of the body
assistance call forced rid since surely time trifles
Surely life, if it be not long, is tedious, since we are forced to call in the assistance of so many trifles to rid us of our time, of that time which never can return.
comforts himself less man necessary supply
Marriage, Sir, is much more necessary to a man than to a woman; for he is much less able to supply himself with domestick comforts
against either good loves please proof protesting rejoice signifies sit speaks true
What signifies protesting so against flattery! when a person speaks well of one, it must either be true or false, you know; if true, let us rejoice in his good opinion; if he lies, it is a proof at least that he loves more to please me, than to sit s
judging littles done
Those that have done nothing in life, are not qualified to judge of those that have done little
success pleasure difficulty
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties.