2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience.

Many causes may vitiate a writer's judgement of his own works. On that which has cost him much labour he sets a high value, because he is unwilling to think that he has been diligent in vain: what has been produced without toilsome efforts is considered with delight as a proof of vigorous faculties and fertile invention; and the last work, whatever it be, has necessarily most of the grace of novelty.

In his comic scenes, Shakespeare seems to produce, without labor, what no labor can improve.

Were it not for imagination a man would be as happy in arms of a chambermaid as of a duchess.

Sir, when you have seen one green field, you have seen all green fields. Let us walk down Cheapside.

To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition.

No man reads a book of science from pure inclination. The books that we do read with pleasure are light compositions, which contain a quick succession of events.

Employment and hardships prevent melancholy.

Corneille is to Shakespeare as a clipped hedge is to a forest.