103 Quotes by James Boswell

Every man should keep minutes of whatever he reads. Every circumstance of his studies should be recorded; what books he has consulted; how much of them he has read; at what times; how often the same authors; and what opinions he formed of them, at different periods of his life. Such an account would much illustrate the history of his mind.

I have tried too in my time to be a philosopher; but, I don’t know how, cheerfulness was always breaking in.

I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.

I have discovered that we may be in some degree whatever character we choose. Besides, practice forms a man to anything.