An Englishman is content to say nothing when he has nothing to say. Samuel Johnson More Quotes by Samuel Johnson More Quotes From Samuel Johnson Sir, sorrow is inherent in humanity. As you cannot judge two and two to be either five, or three, but certainly four, so, when comparing a worse present state with a better which is past, you cannot but feel sorrow. It is not cured by reason, but by the incursion of present objects, which bear out the past. Samuel Johnson judgingtwopast Combinations of wickedness would overwhelm the world, by the advantage which licentious principles afford, did not those who have long practised perfidy grow faithless to each other. Samuel Johnson principlesevillong If a man begins to read in the middle of a book, and feels an inclination to go on, let him not quit it to go to the beginning. He may perhaps not feel again the inclination. Samuel Johnson readingmenbook Read over your compositions and whenever you meet with a passage which you think is particularly fine, strike it out. Samuel Johnson writingartthinking Wine makes a man better pleased with himself. I do not say that it makes him more pleasing to others. Samuel Johnson winedrinkinghappiness Of the blessings set before you make your choice, and be content. Samuel Johnson choicesblessing Always, Sir, set a high value on spontaneous kindness. he whose inclination prompts him to cultivate your friendship of his own accord, will love you more than one whom you have been at pains to attach to you. Samuel Johnson painkindnessfriendship No government power can be abused long. Mankind will not bear it.... There is a remedy in human nature against tyranny, that will keep us safe under every form of government. Samuel Johnson governmentpowerlong Nature never gives everything at once. Samuel Johnson giving Truth allows no choice. Samuel Johnson choicestruth The true genius is a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction. Samuel Johnson luckdeterminationmind Don't think of retiring from the world until the world will be sorry that you retire. I hate a fellow whom pride or cowardice or laziness drive into a corner, and who does nothing when he is there but sit and growl. Let him come out as I do, and bark. Samuel Johnson sorryretirementlife Philosophy has often attempted to repress insolence by asserting that all conditions are leveled by death; a position which, however it may defect the happy, will seldom afford much comfort to the wretched. Samuel Johnson comfortphilosophydeath It is the just doom of laziness and gluttony to be inactive without ease and drowsy without tranquility. Samuel Johnson lazinessslothease Disease generally begins that equality which death completes; the distinctions which set one man so much above another are very little perceived in the gloom of a sick chamber, where it will be vain to expect entertainment from the gay, or instruction from the wise; where all human glory is obliterated, the wit is clouded, the reasoner perplexed, and the hero subdued; where the highest and brightest of mortal beings finds nothing left him but the consciousness of innocence. Samuel Johnson gayherowise Sir, I did not count your glasses of wine, why should you number up my cups of tea? Samuel Johnson glasseswinenumbers Exercise is labor without weariness. Samuel Johnson laborexercisefitness It is not possible to be regarded with tenderness, except by a few. That merit which gives greatness and renown diffuses its influence to a wide compass, but acts weakly on every single breast; it is placed at a distance from common spectators, and shines like one of the remote stars, of which the light reaches us, but not the heat. Samuel Johnson distancegreatnessstars The only end of writing is to enable readers better to enjoy life or better to endure it. Samuel Johnson enjoy-lifereadingwriting There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity. Samuel Johnson confidencehonestyfriendship
