414 quotes
"Enlarge my life with multitude of days!"
In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays:
Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know
That life protracted is protracted woe.
The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749)
Nothing ... will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must be first overcome.
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759)
The drama's laws the drama's patrons give.
For we that live to please must please to live.
Prologue to opening of Drury Lane Theatre (1747)
Knowledge is more than equivalent to force. The master of mechanicks laughs at strength.
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759)
I am very fond of the company of ladies. I like their beauty, I like their delicacy, I like their vivacity, and I like their silence.
As the Spanish proverb says, "He, who would bring home the wealth of the Indies, must carry the wealth of the Indies with him." So it is in travelling; a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold,
Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.
ESSAY — A loose sally of the mind; an irregular indigested piece; not a regular and orderly composition.
A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)
Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes.
In Reason, Nature, Truth, he dares to trust:
Ye Fops, be silent: and ye Wits, be just.
The Tragedy of Irene (1749)
Yet still he fills affection's eye,
Obscurely wise, and coarsely kind.
If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.
My friend was of opinion that when a man of rank appeared in that character [as an author], he deserved to have his merit handsomely allowed.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
REVENGE — An act of passion; vengeance of justice.
A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)
To convince any man against his will is hard, but to please him against his will is justly pronounced by Dryden to be above the reach of human abilities.
The Rambler (1750)
I have two very cogent reasons for not printing any list of subscribers; — one, that I have lost all the names, — the other, that I have spent all the money.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
The insolence of wealth will creep out.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Pleasure of itself is not a vice.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
So far is it from being true that men are naturally equal, that no two people can be half an hour together, but one shall acquire an evident superiority over the other.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.