2,116 Quotes by Samuel Johnson

It was the peculiar artifice of Habit not to suffer her power to be felt at first. Those whom she led, she had the address of appearing only to attend, but was continually doubling her chains upon her companions; which were so slender in themselves, and so silently fastened, that while the attention was engaged by other objects, they were not easily perceived. Each link grew tighter as it had been longer worn; and when by continual additions they became so heavy as to be felt, they were very frequently too strong to be broken.

Invention is almost the only literary labour which blindness cannot obstruct.

It is not true that people are naturally equal for no two people can be together for even a half an hour without one acquiring an evident superiority over the other.

There is less flogging in our great schools than formerly-but then less is learned there; so what the boys get at one end they lose at the other.

Reason elevates our thoughts as high as the stars, and leads us through the vast space of this mighty fabric; yet it comes far short of the real extent of our corporeal being.

The coquette has companions, indeed, but no lovers,--for love is respectful and timorous; and where among her followers will she find a husband?

Round numbers are always false.

Pride is a vice, which pride itself inclines every man to find in others, and to overlook in himself

The difference between coarse and refined abuse is the difference between being bruised by a club and wounded by a poisoned arrow.