2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

Applause abates diligence.

Hope is an amusement rather than a good, and adapted to none but very tranquil minds.

There is nothing more dreadful to an author than neglect; compared with which reproach, hatred, and opposition are names of happiness; yet this worst, this meanest fate, every one who dares to write has reason to fear.

We must consider how very little history there is--I mean real, authentic history. That certain kings reigned and certain battles were fought, we can depend upon as true; but all the coloring, all the philosophy, of history is conjecture.

People may be taken in once, who imagine that an author is greater in private life than other men.

All history was at first oral.

Genius now and then produces a lucky trifle. We still read the Dove of Anacreon, and Sparrow of Catullus; and a writer naturally pleases himself with a performance which owes nothing to the subject.

Those authors are to be read at schools that supply most axioms of prudence.

To build is to be robbed.