2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

Preserve me from unseasonable and immoderate sleep.

As every writer has his use, every writer ought to have his patrons; and since no man, however high he may now stand, can be certain that he shall not be soon thrown down from his elevation by criticism or caprice, the common interest of learning requires that her sons should cease from intestine hostilities, and, instead of sacrificing each other to malice and contempt, endeavour to avert persecution from the meanest of their fraternity.

Hope is necessary in every condition.

In sovereignty there are no gradations.

The business of life is to go forward; he who sees evil in prospect meets it in his way, and he who catches it by retrospection turns back to find it. That which is feared may sometimes be avoided, but that which is regretted to-day may be regretted again to-morrow.

Bounty always receives part of its value from the manner in which it is bestowed.

A newswriter is a man without virtue, who lies at home for his own profit.

Once a coxcomb, always a coxcomb.

Don't tell me of deception; a lie is a lie, whether it be a lie to the eye or a lie to the ear.