A man who uses a great many words to express his meaning is like a bad marksman who, instead of aiming a single stone at an object, takes up a handful and throws at it in hopes he may hit. Samuel Johnson More Quotes by Samuel Johnson More Quotes From Samuel Johnson Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable. Samuel Johnson musichumorousthinking The vicious count their years; virtuous, their acts. Samuel Johnson making-a-differencecharityyears Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. Those that walk with vigor, three hours a day, will pass in seven years a space equal to the circumference of the globe. Samuel Johnson perseverancespaceyears The joy of life is variety; the tenderest love requires to be rekindled by intervals of absence. Samuel Johnson diversitylife-isjoy Abuse is often of service. There is nothing so dangerous to an author as silence. Samuel Johnson abusesilencewriting It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it be struck at one end of the room, it will soon fall to the ground. To keep it up, it must be struck at both ends. Samuel Johnson writingbookfall Deviation from Nature is deviation from happiness. Samuel Johnson deviationclimate-changenature I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations. Samuel Johnson tonguecommunicationsorry The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality. Samuel Johnson imaginationrealitytravel I am a hardened and shameless tea drinker, who has, for twenty years, diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant; whose kettle has scarcely time to cool; who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and, with tea, welcomes the morning. Samuel Johnson tea-drinkingfoodmorning Music is the only sensual pleasure without vice. Samuel Johnson musicalvicessensual Modern writers are the moons of literature; they shine with reflected light, with light borrowed from the ancients. Samuel Johnson lightmoonbook A generous and elevated mind is distinguished by nothing more certainly than an eminent degree of curiosity. Samuel Johnson degreescuriositymind Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements. Samuel Johnson perseveranceeffortwriting When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints, but exert your whole care to hide it; by endeavouring to hide it; you will dry it away. Be always busy. Samuel Johnson fitmindcomplaining Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation. Samuel Johnson agecomplainingmen Such are the vicissitudes of the world, through all its parts, that day and night, labor and rest, hurry and retirement, endear each other; such are the changes that keep the mind in action: we desire, we pursue, we obtain, we are satiated; we desire something else and begin a new pursuit. Samuel Johnson changeretirementnight Solitude is the surest nurse of all prurient passions, and a girl in the hurry of preparation, or tumult of gaiety, has neither inclination nor leisure to let tender expressions soften or sink into her heart. The ball, the show, are not the dangerous places: no, 'tis the private friend, the kind consoler, the companion of the easy vacant hour, whose compliance with her opinions can flatter her vanity, and whose conversation can sooth, without ever stretching her mind, that is the lover to be feared: he who buzzes in her ear at court, or at the opera, must be contented to buzz in vain. Samuel Johnson passiongirlheart I have always said the first Whig was the Devil. Samuel Johnson devilpoliticsfirsts He that outlives a wife whom he has long loved, sees himself disjoined from the only mind that has the same hopes, and fears, and interest; from the only companion with whom he has shared much good and evil; and with whom he could set his mind at liberty, to retrace the past or anticipate the future. The continuity of being is lacerated; the settled course of sentiment and action is stopped; and life stands suspended and motionless. Samuel Johnson lovelongpast
