Quotes from Samuel Johnson

The reciprocal civility of authors is one of the most risible scenes in the farce of life.

Life admits not of delays; when pleasure can be had, it is fit to catch it. Every hour takes away part of the things that please us, and perhaps part of our disposition to be pleased.

It is wonderful what a difference learning makes upon people even in the common intercourse of life, which does not appear to be much connected with it.

Peevishness may be considered the canker of life, that destroys its vigor and checks its improvement; that creeps on with hourly depredations, and taints and vitiates what it cannot consume.

Our senses, our appetite, and our passions are our lawful and faithful guides in things that relate solely to this life.

So scanty is our present allowance of happiness that in many situations life could scarcely be supported if hope were not allowed to relieve the present hour by pleasures borrowed from the future.

Life, however short, is made still shorter by waste of time.

Year chases year, decay pursues decay, Still drops some joy from with'ring life away; New forms arise, and diff'rent views engage

Now ... that you are going to marry, do not expect more from life, than life will afford.

The whole of life is but keeping away the thoughts of death.

Everything that enlarges the sphere of human powers, that shows man he can do what he thought he could not do, is valuable.

Life is barren enough surely with all her trappings; let us be therefore cautious of how we strip her.

Every period of life is obliged to borrow its happiness from time to come.

Philosophers there are who try to make themselves believe that this life is happy; but they believe it only while they are saying it, and never yet produced conviction in a single mind.

Learn that the present hour alone is man's.

Reflect that life, like every other blessing, Derives its value from its use alone.

In life's last scene what prodigies surprise, Fears of the brave, and follies of the wise! From Marlborough's eyes the streams of dotage flow, And Swift expires a driveller and a show.

I have all my life long been lying in bed till noon; yet I tell all young men, and tell them with great sincerity, that nobody who does not rise early will ever do any good.

Long customs are not easily broken; he that attempts to change the course of his own life very often labors in vain; and how shall we do that for others, which we are seldom able to do for ourselves.

Books without the knowledge of life are useless.

God Himself, sir, does not propose to judge a man until his life is over. Why should you and I?

Since life itself is uncertain, nothing which has life for its basis can boast much stability.

Little would be wanting to the happiness of life, if every man could conform to the right as soon as he was shown it.

Stand Firm for your country, and become a man Honour'd and lov'd: It were a noble life, To be found dead, embracing her.