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
age bear borne decline easily finding grief less life ourselves regard shame short slight whether
In the decline of life shame and grief are of short duration; whether it be that we bear easily what we have borne long; or that, finding ourselves in age less regarded, we less regard others; or, that we look with slight regard upon afflictions to w
dangerous integrity knowledge weak
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless. Knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
fancy insanity power
Insanity is the power of fancy over reason.
comfort hope miseries necessary
Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, sickness, of captivity, would, without this comfort, be insupportable.
chief excesses happiness hope itself pleasures species
Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords: but, like all other pleasures immoderately enjoyed, the excesses of hope must be expiated by pain; and expectations improperly indulged must end in disappointment.
elegance greater honesty
Honesty is not greater where elegance is less.
count houses leaves philosophers-and-philosophy thinks vice
If he really thinks there is no distinction between vice and virtue, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.
cannot force hope rather rebels recommend subdued terror
I cannot forbear to wish, that this commotion (in the colonies) may end without bloodshed, and that the rebels may be subdued by terror rather than by violence; and, therefore, recommend such a force as may take away, not only the power, but the hope
brick carried funny house offered pedant pocket recommend select specimen succeed tries
He that tries to recommend (Shakespeare) by select quotations, will succeed like the pedant in "Hierocles", who, when he offered his house to sale, carried a brick in his pocket as a specimen
air best cook departure devour dinner drive eat few finds happiness haste horses ideas longs looks miles night orders plenty progress quest remains road shade sunshine tables teach theory till time travel-and-tourism travels wherever worse
He that travels in theory has no inconveniences; he has shade and sunshine at his disposal, and wherever he alights finds tables of plenty and looks of gaiety. These ideas are indulged till the day of departure arrives, the chaise is called, and the progress of happiness begins. A few miles teach him the fallacies of imagination. The road is dusty, the air is sultry, the horses are sluggish. He longs for the time of dinner that he may eat and rest. The inn is crowded, his orders are neglected, and nothing remains but that he devour in haste what the cook has spoiled, and drive on in quest of better entertainment. He finds at night a more commodious house, but the best is always worse than he expected.
attention cannot finds gaining hope knowledge la otherwise pleased suffrage
He that finds his knowledge narrow, and his arguments weak, and by consequence his suffrage not much regarded, is sometimes in hope of gaining that attention by his clamours which he cannot otherwise obtain, and is pleased with remembering that at la
agree essential political rather religious whether
For my part, Sir, I think all Christians, whether Papists or Protestants, agree in the essential articles, and that their differences are trivial, and rather political than religious
america except love willing
I am willing to love all mankind, except an American.
applause discordant general heard voices
In the most general applause discordant voices will always be heard