2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

Club: An assembly of good fellows, meeting under certain conditions.

If an author be supposed to involve his thoughts in voluntary obscurity, and to obstruct, by unnecessary difficulties, a mind eager in the pursuit of truth; if he writes not to make others learned, but to boast the learning which he possesses himself, and wishes to be admired rather than understood, he counteracts the first end of writing, and justly suffers the utmost severity of censure, or the more afflicting severity of neglect.

Care that is once enter'd into the breast Will have the whole possession ere it rest.

Every man is, or hopes to be, an idler.

You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do more good to them by spending it in luxury, than by giving it; for by spending it in luxury, you make them exert industry, whereas by giving it, you keep them idle.

Abstinence is as easy to me as temperance would be difficult.

The violence of war admits no distinction; the lance, that is lifted at guilt and power, will sometimes fall on innocence and gentleness.

Presumption will be easily corrected; but timidity is a disease of the mind more obstinate and fatal.

Dishonor waits on perfidy. A man should blush to think a falsehood; it is the crime of cowards.