2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

The happiest part of a man's life is what he passes lying awake in bed in the morning.

We love to overlook the boundaries which we do not wish to pass.

Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.

Human life is every where a state in which much is to be endured, and little to be enjoyed.

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

A man sometimes starts up a patriot, only by disseminating discontent, and propagating reports of secret influence, of dangerous counsels, of violated rights, and encroaching usurpation. This practice is no certain note of patriotism. To instigate the populace with rage beyond the provocation, is to suspend public happiness, if not to destroy it. He is no lover of his country, that unnecessarily disturbs its peace.

A man may be so much of everything that he is nothing of anything.

[A]ngling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.

Every man is, or hopes to be, an idler