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
Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought. Our brightest blazes are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties.
It is the only sensual pleasure without vice.
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.
The lustre of diamonds is invigorated by the interposition of darker bodies; the lights of a picture are created by the shades; the highest pleasure which nature has indulged to sensitive perception is that of rest after fatigue
His death eclipsed the gayety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.
It very seldom happens to a man that his business is his pleasure.
Men become friends by a community of pleasures.
Men seldom give pleasure when they are not pleased themselves.
The great source of pleasure is variety.
The liberty of using harmless pleasure will not be disputed; but it is still to be examined what pleasures are harmless.
The friendship which is to be practised or expected by common mortals, must take its rise from mutual pleasure, and must end when the power ceases of delighting each other.
In all pleasures hope is a considerable part.
Pain is less subject than pleasure to careless expression.