2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

When desperate ills demand a speedy cure, Distrust is cowardice, and prudence folly.

Resentment gratifies him who intended an injury, and pains him unjustly who did not intend it.

It is a most mortifying reflection for a man to consider what he has done, compared to what he might have done.

Difficult do you call it, Sir? I wish it were impossible.

Whoever desires, for his writings or himself, what none can reasonably contemn, the favour of mankind, must add grace to strength, and make his thoughts agreeable as well as useful. Many complain of neglect who never tried to attract regard.

Reproof should not exhaust its power upon petty failings.

The love of retirement has in all ages adhered closely to those minds which have been most enlarged by knowledge, or elevated by genius. Those who enjoyed everything generally supposed to confer happiness have been forced to seek it in the shades of privacy.

The imitator treads a beaten walk, and with all his diligence can only find a few flowers or branches untouched by his predecessor, the refuse of contempt, or the omissions of negligence.

There must always be a struggle between a father and son, while one aims at power and the other at independence.