95 quotes
While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till grief be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an excess of stupidity, sir, is not in Nature.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
No man was more foolish when he had not a pen in his hand, or more wise when he had.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Johnson observed, that "he did not care to speak ill of any man behind his back, but he believed the gentleman was an attorney."
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading, in order to write: a man will turn over half a library to make one book.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Here's to the next insurrection of the negroes in the West Indies.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
I'll come no more behind your scenes, David [Garrick]; for the silk stockings and white bosoms of your actresses excite my amorous propensities.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
A Frenchman must be always talking, whether he knows anything of the matter or not; an Englishman is content to say nothing, when he has nothing to say.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
I will be conquered; I will not capitulate.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
All censure of a man's self is oblique praise. It is in order to shew how much he can spare.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Mrs. Montagu has dropt me. Now, Sir, there are people whom one should like very well to drop, but would not wish to be dropped by.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
As I know more of mankind, I expect less of them, and am ready now to call a man a good man, upon easier terms than I was formerly.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
There is now less flogging in our great schools than formerly, but then less is learned there; so that what the boys get at one end they lose at the other.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
A lady once asked him how he came to define 'pastern', the knee of a horse: instead of making an elaborate defence, as might be expected, he at once answered, "Ignorance, Madam, pure ignorance."
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
But 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.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
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)
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)
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)