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
A simile, to be perfect, must both illustrate and ennoble the subject; must show it to the understanding in a clearer view, and display it to the fancy with greater dignity; but either of these qualities may be sufficient to recommend it.... That it may be complete, it is required to exhibit, independently of its references, a pleasing image; for a simile is said to be a short episode.
The worst evils are those that never arrive.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing - it only hastens fools to rush in where angels fear to tread.
Nothing is more common than for men to make partial and absurd distinctions between vices of equal enormity, and to observe some of the divine commands with great scrupulousness, while they violate others, equally important, without any concern, or the least apparent conciousness of guilt. Alas, it is only wisdom which perceives this tragedy.
As pride sometimes is hid under humility, idleness if often covered by turbulence and hurry.
We often need reminding even if we do not often need educating.
Unintelligible language is a lantern without a light.
As long as one lives he will have need of repentance.
The whole of life is but keeping away the thoughts of death.
A family ... is a little kingdom, torn with factions and exposed to revolutions.
He that travels in theory has no inconveniences.
To be prejudiced is always to be weak
Pointed axioms and acute replies fly loose about the world, and are assigned successively to those whom it may be the fashion to celebrate.
Difficult do you call it, Sir? I wish it were impossible.