2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

Greece appears to be the fountain of knowledge; Rome of elegance

Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation.

When the desire of wealth is taking hold of the heart, let us look round and see how it operates upon than whose industry or fortune has obtained it. When we find them oppressed with their own abundance, luxurious without pleasure, idle without ease, impatient and querulous in themselves, and despised or hated by the rest of mankind, we shall soon be convinced that if the real wants of our condition are satisfied, there remains little to be sought with solicitude or desired with eagerness.

It is to be steadily inculcated, that virtue is the highest proof of understanding, and the only solid basis of greatness.

Life is short. The sooner that a man begins to enjoy his wealth the better.

As every one is pleased with imagining that he knows something not yet commonly divulged, secret history easily gains credit; but it is for the most part believed only while it circulates in whispers, and when once it is openly told, is openly refuted.

Fear is implanted in us as a preservative from evil.

A contempt of the monuments and the wisdom of the past, may be justly reckoned one of the reigning follies of these days, to which pride and idleness have equally contributed.

He that thinks he can afford to be negligent is not far from being poor.