Samuel Johnson Quotes

Excellence in any department can be attained only by the labor of a lifetime; it is not to be purchased read more

Excellence in any department can be attained only by the labor of a lifetime; it is not to be purchased at a lesser price.

Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.

Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.

He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition read more

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

Language is only the instrument of science, and words are but the signs of ideas.

Language is only the instrument of science, and words are but the signs of ideas.

That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain
force upon the plain of Marathon, or read more

That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain
force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow
warmer among the runs of Iona.

Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own

Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own

Let him go abroad to a distant country; let him go to some place
where he is not known. read more

Let him go abroad to a distant country; let him go to some place
where he is not known. Don't let him go to the devil where he is
known.

Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man
struggling for life in the read more

Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man
struggling for life in the water, and when he has reached ground
encumbers him with help?

Being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being
drowned.

Being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being
drowned.