Quotes from Samuel Johnson

The true art of memory is the art of attention.

The true, strong, and sound mind is the mind that can embrace equally great things and small.

Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.

He left the name at which the world grew pale, To point a moral, or adorn a tale.

An Italian philosopher said that "time was his estate"; an estate indeed which will produce nothing without cultivation, but will always abundantly repay the labors of industry, and generally satisfy the most extensive desires, if no part of it be suffered to lie in waste by negligence, to be overrun with noxious plants, or laid out for show rather than for use.

It is common to overlook what is near by keeping the eye fixed on something remote.

We are convinced that happiness is never to be found, and each believes it possessed by others, to keep alive the hope of obtaining it for himself.

Never speak of a man in his own presence. It is always indelicate, and may be offensive .

In lapidary inscriptions a man is not upon oath.

Sir, a woman preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well: but you are surprised to find it done at all.

Pride is seldom delicate: it will please itself with very mean advantages.

Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties.

The first years of man must make provision for the last.

Questioning is not the mode of conversation among gentlemen.

Oats, n.s. A grain which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.

To be of no Church is dangerous.

Don't think of retiring from the world until the world will be sorry that you retire.

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.

The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary commonwealth.

Prudence keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.

He that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions.

When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints.

Despair is criminal.

Silence propagates itself, and the longer talk has been suspended, the more difficult it is to find anything to say.