2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

There prevails among men of letters, an opinion, that all appearance of science is particularly hateful to Women; and that therefore whoever desires to be well received in female assemblies, must qualify himself by a total rejection of all that is serious, rational, or important; must consider argument or criticism as perpetually interdicted; and devote all his attention to trifles, and all his eloquence to compliment.

For my part, Sir, I think all Christians, whether Papists or Protestants, agree in the essential articles, and that their differences are trivial, and rather political than religious

The truly strong and sound mind is the mind that can embrace equally great things and small.

He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.

Attack is the reaction. I never think I have hit hard unless it rebounds.

You think I love flattery (says Dr. Johnson), and so I do; but a little too much always disgusts me: that fellow Richardson, on the contrary, could not be contented to sail quietly down the stream of reputation, without longing to taste the froth from every stroke of the oar.

It is wonderful when a calculation is made, how little the mind is actually employed in the discharge of any profession.

Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.

If we consider the manner in which those who assume the office of directing the conduct of others execute their undertaking, it will not be very wonderful that their labours, however zealous or affectionate, are frequently useless. For what is the advice that is commonly given? A few general maxims, enforced with vehemence, and inculcated with importunity, but failing for want of particular reference and immediate application.