Dr. Johnson ... sometimes employed himself in chymistry, sometimes in watering and pruning a vine, and sometimes in small experiments, at which those who may smile, should recollect that there are moments which admit of being soothed only by trifles.

James Boswell

Categorized in : Science Drs Vines

I am so fond of tea that I could write a whole dissertation on its virtues. It comforts and enlivens without the risks attendant on spirituous liquors. Gentle herb! Let the florid grape yield to thee. Thy soft influence is a more safe inspirer of social joy.

James Boswell

yield writing joy

I have discovered that we may be in some degree whatever character we choose. Besides, practice forms a man to anything.

James Boswell

success character life

I am now to offer some thoughts upon that sameness or familiarity which we frequently find between passages in different authors without quotation. This may be one of three things either what is called Plagiarism, or Imitation, or Coincidence.

James Boswell

three different may

People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along? Can we stop making it, making it horrible for the older people and the kids?

James Boswell

heart men kids

Buffon, who, with all his theoretical ingenuity and extraordinary eloquence, I suspect had little actual information in the science on which he wrote so admirably For instance, he tells us that the cow sheds her horns every two years; a most palpable error. ... It is wonderful that Buffon who lived so much in the country at his noble seat should have fallen into such a blunder I suppose he has confounded the cow with the deer.

James Boswell

writing science country

If a man who is born to a fortune cannot make himself easier and freer than those who are not, he gains nothing.

James Boswell

liberty freedom men

Melancholy cannot be clearly proved to others, so it is better to be silent about it.

James Boswell

melancholy silent unhappiness

Quotation is more universal and more ancient than one would perhaps believe.

James Boswell

ancient universal believe

I, who have no sisters or brothers, look with some degree of innocent envy on those who may be said to be born to friends.

James Boswell

friends sister brother

In comparing these two writers, he [Samuel Johnson] used this expression: "that there was as great a difference between them as between a man who knew how a watch was made, and a man who could tell the hour by looking on the dial-plate." This was a short and a figurative statement of his distinction between drawing characters of nature and characters only of manners, but I cannot help being of opinion, that the neat watches of Fielding are as well constructed as the large clocks of Richardson, and that his dial plates are brighter.

James Boswell

drawing character men

No, Sir, claret is the liquor for boys; port for men: but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy. In the first place brandy will do soonest for a man what drinking can do for him.

James Boswell

wine hero drinking

If a man is prodigal, he cannot be truly generous.

James Boswell

prodigals generosity men

I have seen many a bear led by a man: but I never before saw a man led by a bear.

James Boswell

saws bears men

O charitable philosopher, I beg you to help me. My mind is weak but my soul is strong. Kindle that soul, and the sacred fire shall never be extinguished.

James Boswell

strong soul fire

A page of my journal is like a cake of portable soup. A little may be diffused into a considerable portion.

James Boswell

cake soup may

A woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinter legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to see it done at all.

James Boswell

sarcastic done dog

One must be strict even in little things.

James Boswell

strict little-things littles

It is not every man who can be exquisitely miserable, any more than exquisitely happy.

James Boswell

every-man miserable men

A companion loves some agreeable qualities which a man may possess, but a friend loves the man himself.

James Boswell

real love friendship

I fancy mankind may come, in time, to write all aphoristically.

James Boswell

fancy writing may