Quotes from Samuel Johnson

Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions.

If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.

The feeling of friendship is like that of being comfortably filled with roast beef; love, like being enlivened with champagne.

Books like friends, should be few and well-chosen.

The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.

Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation; you do not find it among gross people

None of the projects or designs which exercise the mind of man are equally subject to obstructions and disappointments with the pursuit of fame.

Much mischief is done in the world with very little interest or design.

The faults of a man loved or honoured sometimes steal secretly and imperceptibly upon the wise and virtuous, but by injudicious fondness or thoughtless vanity are adopted with design.

All envy is proportionate to desire.

Our desires always increase with our possessions. The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.

Let him that desires to see others happy, make haste to give while his gift can be enjoyed, and remember that every moment of delay takes away something from the value of his benefaction.

Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, roll darkly down the torrent of his fate.

As all error is meanness, it is incumbent on every man who consults his own dignity, to retract it as soon as he discovers it.

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

I have found men to be more kind than I expected, and less just.

In order that all men may be taught to speak the truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.

There is less flogging in our great schools than formerly but then less is learned there so that what the boys get at one end they lose at the other.

Your levellers wish to level down as far as themselves but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves.

He who fails to please in his salutation and address is at once rejected, and never obtains an opportunity of showing his latest excellences or essential qualities.

Judgment is forced upon us by experience

All theory is against freedom of the will all experience for it.

Studious to please, yet not ashamed to fail.

I have always considered a clergyman as the father of a larger family than he is able to maintain.