2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

With what hope can we endeavor to persuade the ladies that the time spent at the toilet is lost in vanity.

Few have abilities so much needed by the rest of the world as to be caressed on their own terms; and he that will not condescend to recommend himself by external embellishments must submit to the fate of just sentiment meanly expressed, and be ridiculed and forgotten before he is understood.

No man is obliged to do as much as he can do. A man is to have part of his life to himself.

It was not for me to bandy civilities with my Sovereign

Confidence is a plant of slow growth; especially in an aged bosom

When female minds are embittered by age or solitude, their malignity is generally exerted in a rigorous and spiteful superintendence of domestic trifles.

Let us take a patriot, where we can meet him; and, that we may not flatter ourselves by false appearances, distinguish those marks which are certain, from those which may deceive; for a man may have the external appearance of a patriot, without the constituent qualities; as false coins have often lustre, though they want weight.

Life protracted is protracted woe.

If the abuse be enormous, nature will rise up, and claiming her original rights, overturn a corrupt political system.