2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

So many qualities are indeed requisite to the possibility of friendship, and so many accidents must concur to its rise and its continuance, that the greatest part of mankind content themselves without it, and supply its place as they can, with intere

It is much easier not to write like a man than to write like a woman.

To proportion the eagerness of contest to its importance seems too hard a task for human wisdom. The pride of wit has kept ages busy in the discussion of useless questions, and the pride of power has destroyed armies, to gain or to keep unprofitable possessions.

When people find a man of the most distinguished abilities as a writer their inferior while he is with them, it must be highly gratifying to them.

When first the college rolls receive his name, The young enthusiast quilts his ease for fame; Through all his veins the fever of renown Burns from the strong contagion of the gown

He that shall peruse the political pamphlets of any past reign will wonder why they were so eagerly read, or so loudly praised.

In general those parents have the most reverence who most deserve it; for he that lives well cannot be despised.

Differences, we know, are never so effectually laid asleep as by some common calamity; an enemy unites all to whom he threatens danger.

Authors and lovers always suffer some infatuation, from which only absence can set them free.