147 Quotes By Samuel Johnson


Secure, whate'er he gives, he gives the best.
Samuel Johnson on giving

We are long before we are convinced that happiness is never to be found, and each believes it possessed by others, to keep alive the hope of obtaining it for himself.
Samuel Johnson on happiness

I deny the lawfulness of telling a lie to a sick man for fear of alarming him; you have no business with consequences you are to tell the truth.
Samuel Johnson on honesty

Hope is itself a species of happiness, and perhaps the chief happiness which this world affords.
Samuel Johnson on hope

Everything that enlarges the sphere of human powers, that shows man he can do what he thought he could not do, is valuable.
Samuel Johnson on human

A jest's prosperity lies in the ear of him that hears it, Never in the tongue of him that makes it.
Samuel Johnson on humor

Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent.
Samuel Johnson on idleness

He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts
Samuel Johnson on individuality

A man of genius has been seldom ruined but by himself.
Samuel Johnson on intelligence

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.
Samuel Johnson on london

It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find all the motives which they have for remaining in that connection, and the restraints which civilised society imposes to prevent separation, are hardly sufficient to keep them together.
Samuel Johnson on marriage

The two offices of memory are collection and distribution.
Samuel Johnson on memory

When any calamity has been suffered the first thing to be remembered is, how much has been escaped.
Samuel Johnson on misfortune

Order is a lovely nymph, the child of Beauty and Wisdom; her attendants are Comfort, Neatness, and Activity; her abode is the valley of happiness: she is always to be found when sought for, and never appears so lovely as when contrasted with her opponent, Disorder.
Samuel Johnson on order

The mind is seldom quickened to very vigorous operations but by pain, or the dread of pain. We do not disturb ourselves with the detection of fallacies which do us no harm.
Samuel Johnson on pain

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Samuel Johnson on patriotism

Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. Yonder palace was raised by single stones, yet you see its height and spaciousness. He that shall walk with vigor three hours a day will pass in seven years a space equal to the circumference of the globe.
Samuel Johnson on perseverance

Men seldom give pleasure where they are not pleased themselves.
Samuel Johnson on pleasure

The first years of man make provision for the last.
Samuel Johnson on prudence

Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.
Samuel Johnson on revenge