List of Samuel Johnson Quotes

The Reciprocal Civility Of Authors Is One Of The Most Risible Scenes In The Farce Of Life.

An Exotic And Irrational Entertainment, Which Has Been Always Combated, And Always Has Prevailed.

I Remember Very Well, When I Was At Oxford, An Old Gentleman Said To Me, "young Man, Ply Your Book Diligently Now, And Acquire A Stock Of Knowledge; For When Years Come Upon You, You Will Find That Poring Upon Books Will Be But An Irksome Task.

Merriment Is Always The Effect Of A Sudden Impression. The Jest Which Is Expected Is Already Destroyed.

Hope Is Necessary In Every Condition. The Miseries Of Poverty, Of Sickness, Or Captivity, Would, Without This Comfort, Be Insupportable; Nor Does It Appear That The Happiest Lot Of Terrestrial Existence Can Set Us Above The Want Of This General Blessing; Or That Life, When The Gifts Of Nature And Of Fortune Are Accumulated Upon It, Would Not Still Be Wretched, Were It Not Elevated And Delighted By The Expectation Of Some New Possession, Of Some Enjoyment Yet Behind, By Which The Wish Shall At Last Be Satisfied, And The Heart Filled Up To Its Utmost Extent.

I Have Always Suspected That The Reading Is Right, Which Requires Many Words To Prove It Wrong; And The Emendation Wrong, That Cannot Without So Much Labour Appear To He Right.

Fears Of The Brave And Follies Of The Wise.

All This [wealth] Excludes But One Evil, Poverty.

The Trappings Of A Monarchy Would Set Up An Ordinary Commonwealth.

It Is Not Easy To Surround Life With Any Circumstances In Which Youth Will Not Be Delightful.

Whoever Wishes To Attain An English Style, Familiar But Not Coarse, And Elegant But Not Ostentatious, Must Give His Days And Nights To The Volumes Of Addison.

The Expense Is Damnable, The Position Is Ridiculous, And The Pleasure Fleeting.