In questions of law or of fact conscience is very often confounded with opinion. No man's conscience can tell him the rights of another man; they must be known by rational investigation or historical inquiry. Samuel Johnson More Quotes by Samuel Johnson More Quotes From Samuel Johnson The parallel circumstances and kindred images to which we readily conform our minds are, above all other writings, to be found in the lives of particular persons, and therefore no species of writing seems more worthy of cultivation than biography. Samuel Johnson biographies mind writing Admiration and love are like being intoxicated with champagne; judgment and friendship are like being enlivened. Samuel Johnson admiration judgment and-love The booksellers are generous liberal-minded men. Samuel Johnson booksellers generous men To forget, or pretend to do so, to return a borrowed article, is the meanest sort of petty theft. Samuel Johnson theft return forget Differences, we know, are never so effectually laid asleep as by some common calamity; an enemy unites all to whom he threatens danger. Samuel Johnson differences common enemy The general remedy of those who are uneasy without knowing the cause is change of place. Samuel Johnson causes knowing change Consider what importance to society the chastity of women is. Upon that all the property in the world depends. We hang a thief for stealing a sheep; but the unchastity of a woman transfers sheep and farm and all from the right owner. Samuel Johnson thieves sheep world There is such a difference between the pursuits of men in great cities that one part of the inhabitants lives to little other purpose than to wonder at the rest. Some have hopes and fears, wishes and aversions, which never enter into the thoughts of others, and inquiry is laboriously exerted to gain that which those who possess it are ready to throw away. Samuel Johnson differences cities men I do not envy a clergyman's life as an easy life, nor do I envy the clergyman who makes it an easy life. Samuel Johnson clergymen envy easy Commerce can never be at a stop while one man wants what another can supply; and credit will never be denied, while it is likely to be repaid with profit. Samuel Johnson credit want men Commerce however we may please ourselves with the contrary opinion, is one of the daughters of fortune, inconstant and deceitful as her mother. She chooses her residence where she is least expected, and shifts her abode when her continuance is, in appearance, most firmly settled. Samuel Johnson daughter mother may There may be community of material possessions, but there can never be community of love or esteem. Samuel Johnson communism community may Such is the emptiness of human enjoyment that we are always impatient of the present. Attainment is followed by neglect, and possession by disgust. Samuel Johnson impatient neglect emptiness Though the discoveries or acquisitions of man are not always adequate to the expectations of his pride, they are at least sufficient to animate his industry. Samuel Johnson pride discovery men A blaze first pleases and then tires the sight. Samuel Johnson tire sight firsts Dishonor waits on perfidy. A man should blush to think a falsehood; it is the crime of cowards. Samuel Johnson waiting men thinking Distance either of time or place is sufficient to reconcile weak minds to wonderful relations. Samuel Johnson distance mind wonderful No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is dressed. Samuel Johnson wife men people I am always for getting a boy forward in his learning, for that is sure good. I would let him at first read any English book which happens to engage his attention; because you have done a great deal when you have brought him to have entertainment from a book. He'll get better books afterwards. Samuel Johnson education boys book It is wonderful what a difference learning makes upon people even in the common intercourse of life, which does not appear to be much connected with it. Samuel Johnson differences education people
