13 quotes
It is man's own fault, it is from want of use, if his mind grows torpid in old age.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence, is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of this weary pilgrimage.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Happiness consists in the multiplicity of agreeable consciousness.
If a man does not make new acquaintances, as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair.
I fly from pleasure, because pleasure has ceased to please: I am lonely because I am miserable.
To neglect at any time preparation for death, is to sleep on our post at a siege, but to omit it in old age, is to sleep at an attack.
And panting Time toil'd after him in vain.
The endearing elegance of female friendship.
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759)
Superfluous lags the veteran on the stage,
Till pitying Nature signs the last release,
And bids afflicted worth retire to peace.
Ladies, stock and tend your hive,
Trifle not at thirty-five;
For, howe'er we boast and strive,
Life declines from thirty-five;
He that ever hopes to thrive
Must begin by thirty-five.
There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.
Friendship, peculiar boon of Heaven,
The noble mind's delight and pride,
To men and angels only given,
To all the lower world denied.
"I fly from pleasure," said the prince, "because pleasure has ceased to please; I am lonely because I am miserable, and am unwilling to cloud with my presence the happiness of others."
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759)