Samuel Johnson

Why, sir, Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken
him a great deal of pains to read more

Why, sir, Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken
him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an
excess of stupidity, Sir, is not in Nature.

Commemoration of Petroc, Abbot of Padstow, 6th century The man who has never had religion before, no more read more

Commemoration of Petroc, Abbot of Padstow, 6th century The man who has never had religion before, no more grows religious when he is sick, than a man who has never learned figures can count when he has need of calculation.

Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.

Gloomy calm of idle vacancy.

I live in the crowds of jollity, not so much to enjoy company as
to shun myself.

I live in the crowds of jollity, not so much to enjoy company as
to shun myself.

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.