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
The world is seldom what it seems; to man, who dimly sees, realities appear as dreams, and dreams realities.
The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it.
The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.
That we must all die, we always knew; I wish I had remembered it sooner.
Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.
So many objections may be made to everything, that nothing can overcome them but the necessity of doing something.
Prepare for death, if here at night you roam, and sign your will before you sup from home.
Melancholy, indeed, should be diverted by every means but drinking.
Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment.
Let me smile with the wise, and feed with the rich.
It generally happens that assurance keeps an even pace with ability.
If pleasure was not followed by pain, who would forbear it?
I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know deserves it, but I am afraid he is an attorney.
I will be conquered; I will not capitulate.