2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

The wickedness of a loose or profane author is more atrocious than that of a giddy libertine or drunken ravisher, not only because it extends its effects wider, as a pestilence that taints the air is more destructive than poison infused in a draught, but because it is committed with cool deliberation.

He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts.

Money and time are the heaviest burdens of life, and the unhappiest of all mortals are those who have more of either than they know how to use.

The balls of sight are so formed, that one man's eyes are spectacles to another, to read his heart with.

He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience. We have always protected the Americans; we may therefore subject them to government.

Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own.

Judgment is forced upon us by experience

Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, roll darkly down the torrent of his fate.

But to the particular species of excellence men are directed, not by an ascendant planet or predominating humour, but by the first book which they read, some early conversation which they heard, or some accident which excited ardour and emulation.