2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

Wise married women don't trouble themselves about infidelity in their husbands.

The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it

Our desires always increase with our possessions. The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.

I am willing to love all of mankind, except an American.

In the motive lies the good or ill.

I should as soon think of contradicting a bishop

A country is in a bad state, which is governed only by laws; because a thousand things occur for which laws cannot provide, and where authority ought to interpose.

If, sir, men were all virtuous, I should with great alacrity teach them all to fly. But what would be the security of the good if the bad could at pleasure invade them from the sky? Against an army sailing through the clouds neither wall, nor mountains, nor seas could afford any security.

That man (Lord Lyttelton) sat down to write a book, to tell the world what the world had all his life been telling him