Samuel Johnson

Books have always a secret influence on the understanding; we
cannot at pleasure obliterate ideas: he that reads books read more

Books have always a secret influence on the understanding; we
cannot at pleasure obliterate ideas: he that reads books of
science, though without any desire fixed of improvement, will
grow more knowing; he that entertains himself with moral or
religious treatises, will imperceptibly advance in goodness; the
ideas which are often offered to the mind, will at last find a
lucky moment when it is disposed to receive them.

The history of mankind is little else than a narrative of designs which have failed and hopes that have been read more

The history of mankind is little else than a narrative of designs which have failed and hopes that have been disappointed.

He threatens many that hath injured one.

He threatens many that hath injured one.

A certain amount of distrust is wholesome, but not so much of
others as of ourselves; neither vanity not read more

A certain amount of distrust is wholesome, but not so much of
others as of ourselves; neither vanity not conceit can exist in
the same atmosphere with it.

When people find a man of the most distinguished abilities as a writer their inferior while he is with them, read more

When people find a man of the most distinguished abilities as a writer their inferior while he is with them, it must be highly gratifying to them.