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Every man speaks and writes with intent to be understood; and it can seldom happen but he that understands himself, might convey his notions to another, if, content to be understood, he did not seek to be admired; but when once he begins to contrive how his sentiments may be received, not with most ease to his reader, but with most advantage to himself, he then transfers his consideration from words to sounds, from sentences to periods, and, as he grows more elegant, becomes less intelligible. By Samuel Johnson Understood Content Admired Received Reader

No man likes to live under the eye of perpetual disapprobation. By Samuel Johnson Disapprobation Man Live Eye Perpetual

Solitude is the surest nurse of all prurient passions, and a girl in the hurry of preparation, or tumult of gaiety, has neither inclination nor leisure to let tender expressions soften or sink into her heart. The ball, the show, are not the dangerous places: no, 'tis the private friend, the kind consoler, the companion of the easy vacant hour, whose compliance with her opinions can flatter her vanity, and whose conversation can sooth, without ever stretching her mind, that is the lover to be feared: he who buzzes in her ear at court, or at the opera, must be contented to buzz in vain. By Samuel Johnson Solitude Passions Preparation Gaiety Heart

ANTOECI (ANTO'ECI) n.s. It has no singular.[Lat. to inhabit.] In geography, those inhabitants of the earth, who live under the same meridian, and at the same distance from the equator; the one toward the north, and the other to the south. Hence they have the same longitude, and their latitude is also the same, but of a different denomination. They are in the same semicircle of the meridian, but opposite parallels. They have precisely the same hours of the day and night, but opposite seasons; and the night of the one is always equal to the day of the other.Chambers. By Samuel Johnson Antoeci Antoeci Meridian Lat Opposite

A newswriter is a man without virtue, who lies at home for his own profit. By Samuel Johnson Virtue Profit Newswriter Man Lies

I deny the lawfulness of telling a lie to a sick man for fear of alarming him; you have no business with consequences, you are to tell the truth. By Samuel Johnson Consequences Truth Deny Lawfulness Telling

Men go to sea, before they know the unhappiness of that way of life; and when they have come to know it, they cannot escape from it, because it is then too late to choose another profession; as indeed is generally the case with men, when they have once engaged in any particular way of life. By Samuel Johnson Life Men Sea Profession Unhappiness

No wise man will go to live in the country, unless he has something to do which can be better done in the country. For instance, if he is to shut himself up for a year to study science, it is better to look out to the fields, than to an opposite wall. Then, if a man walks out in the country, there is nobody to keep him from walking in again: but if a man walks out in London, he is not sure when he will walk in again. A great city is, to be sure, the school for studying life. By Samuel Johnson Country Man Wise Live Walks

He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood. By Samuel Johnson Deficiency Sentences Understood Reads Grows

Perhaps the excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare or abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some obvious and useful truth in a few words.We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of action are not known, but because, for a time, they are not remembered; and he may therefore be justly numbered among the benefactors of mankind who contracts the great rules of life into short sentences, that may be easily impressed on the memory, and taught by frequent recollection to recur habitually to the mind. By Samuel Johnson Sentiment Folly Time Remembered Sentences

Like an image in a dream the world is troubled by love, hatred, and other poisons. So long as the dream lasts, the image appears to be real; but on awaking it vanishes. By Samuel Johnson Hatred Love Poisons Image Dream

There are few so free from vanity as not to dictate to those who will hear their instructions with a visible sense of their own beneficence. By Samuel Johnson Beneficence Free Vanity Dictate Hear

The diversion of baiting an author has the sanction of all ages and nations, and is more lawful than the sport of teasing other animals, because, for the most part, he comes voluntarily to the stake, furnished, as he imagines, by the patron powers of literature, with resistless weapons, and impenetrable armour, with the mail of the boar of Erymanth, and the paws of the lion of Nemea. By Samuel Johnson Erymanth Nemea Furnished Nations Animals

Idleness and timidity often despair without being overcome, and forbear attempts for fear of being defeated; and we may promote the invigoration of faint endeavors, by showing what has already been performed. By Samuel Johnson Idleness Overcome Defeated Endeavors Performed

Men who have flattered themselves into this opinion of their own abilities, look down on all who waste their lives over books, as a race of inferior beings condemned by nature to perpetual pupilage, and fruitlessly endeavouring to remedy their barrenness by incessant cultivation, or succour their feebleness by subsidiary strength. They presume that none would be more industrious than they, if they were not more sensible of deficiences; and readily conclude, that he who places no confidence in his own powers owes his modesty only to his weakness. By Samuel Johnson Men Abilities Books Pupilage Cultivation

Nothing detains the reader's attention more powerfully than deep involutions of distress, or sudden vicissitudes of fortune; and these might be abundantly afforded by memoirs of the sons of literature. They are entangled by contracts which they know not how to fulfill, and obliged to write on subjects which they do not understand. Every publication is a new period of time, from which some increase or declension of fame is to be reckoned. The gradations of a hero's life are from battle to battle, and of an author's from book to book. By Samuel Johnson Distress Fortune Literature Detains Reader

I do not wonder that, where the monastick life is permitted, every order finds votaries, and every monastery inhabitants. Men will submit to any rule, by which they may be exempted from the tyranny of caprice and of chance. They are glad to supply by external authority their own want of constancy and resolution, and court the government of others, when long experience has convinced them of their own inability to govern themselves. By Samuel Johnson Permitted Votaries Inhabitants Monastick Life

To those who have lived long together, everything heard and everything seen recalls some pleasure communicated, some benefit conferred, some petty quarrel or some slight endearment. Esteem of great powers, or amiable qualities newly discovered may embroider a day or a week, but a friendship of twenty years is interwoven with the texture of life. By Samuel Johnson Communicated Conferred Endearment Lived Long

The violence of war admits no distinction; the lance, that is lifted at guilt and power, will sometimes fall on innocence and gentleness. By Samuel Johnson Distinction Lance Power Gentleness Violence

When first the college rolls receive his name,The young enthusiast quilts his ease for fame;Through all his veins the fever of renownBurns from the strong contagion of the gown By Samuel Johnson Fame Gown College Rolls Receive

If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance. By Samuel Johnson Fixed Despair Determination Counsel Skill

The morality of an action depends on the motive from which we act. If I fling half a crown to a beggar with intention to break his head and he picks it up and buy victuals with it, the physical effect is good. But with respect to me the action is very wrong. By Samuel Johnson Act Morality Depends Motive Action

Providence has fixed the limits of human enjoyment by immovable boundaries, and has set different gratifications at such a distance from each other, that no art or power can bring them together. This great law it is the business of every rational being to understand, that life may not pass away in an attempt to make contradictions consistent, to combine opposite qualities, and to unite things which the nature of their being must always keep asunder. By Samuel Johnson Providence Boundaries Fixed Limits Human

The commodiousness of money is indeed great; but there are some advantages which money cannot buy, and which therefore no wise man will by the love of money be tempted to forego. By Samuel Johnson Money Great Buy Forego Commodiousness

Shakespeare is above all writers, at least above all modern writers, the poet of nature; the poet that holds up to his readers a faithful mirrour of manners and of life. His characters are not modified by the customs of particular places, unpractised by the rest of the world; by the peculiarities of studies or professions, which can operate but upon small numbers; or by the accidents of transient fashions or temporary opinions: they are the genuine progeny of common humanity, such as the world will always supply, and observation will always find. His persons act and speak by the influence of those general passions and principles by which all minds are agitated, and the whole system of life is continued in motion. In the writings of other poets a character is too often an individual; in those of Shakespeare it is commonly a species. By Samuel Johnson Writers Nature Shakespeare Life World

To have the management of the mind is a great art, and it may be attained in a considerable degree by experience and habitual exercise ... Let him take a course of chemistry, or a course of rope-dance, or a course of any thing to which he is inclined at the time. Let him contrive to have as many retreats for his mind as he can, as many things to which it can fly from itself. By Samuel Johnson Art Exercise Management Great Attained

Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation. By Samuel Johnson World Generation Man Complains Growing

These are the men who, without virtue, labour, or hazard, are growing rich, as their country is impoverished; they rejoice, when obstinacy or ambition adds another year to slaughter and devastation; and laugh, from their desks, at bravery and science, while they are adding figure to figure, and cipher to cipher, hoping for a new contract from a new armament, and computing the profits of a siege or tempest. By Samuel Johnson Labour Figure Cipher Virtue Hazard

The ambition of superior sensibility and superior eloquence disposes the lovers of arts to receive rapture at one time, and communicate it at another; and each labors first to impose upon himself and then to propagate the imposture. By Samuel Johnson Superior Time Imposture Ambition Sensibility

All imposture weakens confidence and chills benevolence. By Samuel Johnson Benevolence Imposture Weakens Confidence Chills

It ought to be the first endeavour of a writer to distinguish nature from custom; or that which is established because it is right, from that which is right only because it is established; that he may neither violate essential principles by a desire of novelty, nor debar himself from the attainment of beauties within his view, by a needless fear of breaking rules which no literary dictator had authority to enact. By Samuel Johnson Established Custom Novelty View Enact

I have thought of a pulley to raise me gradually; but that would give me pain, as it would counteract my natural inclination. I would have something that can dissipate the inertia and give elasticity to the muscles. We can heat the body, we can cool it; we can give it tension or relaxation; and surely it is possible to bring it into a state in which rising from bed will not be a pain. By Samuel Johnson Give Gradually Inclination Pain Thought

Ease, a neutral state between pain and pleasure ... if it is not rising into pleasure will be falling towards pain. By Samuel Johnson Ease Pain Pleasure Neutral State

Self-love is often rather arrogant than blind; it does not hide our faults from ourselves, but persuades us that they escape the notice of others. By Samuel Johnson Selflove Blind Arrogant Hide Faults

Of the blessings set before you make your choice, and be content. No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of the spring: no man can, at the same time, fill his cup from the source and from the mouth of the Nile. By Samuel Johnson Choice Content Man Blessings Set

No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring. By Samuel Johnson Spring Man Taste Fruits Autumn

Sir, I did not count your glasses of wine, why should you number up my cups of tea? By Samuel Johnson Sir Wine Tea Count Glasses

Was ever poet so trusted before? By Samuel Johnson Poet Trusted

The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it; for, however absurd it may be thought to boast an honour by an act which shows that it was conferred without merit, yet most men seem rather inclined to confess the want of virtue than of importance. By Samuel Johnson Merit Importance Vanity Trusted Secret

Why, Sir, if you were to read Richardson for the story, your impatience would be so much fretted that you would hang yourself. But you must read him for the sentiment, and consider the story as only giving occasion to the sentiment. By Samuel Johnson Sir Richardson Sentiment Story Read

If we consider the manner in which those who assume the office of directing the conduct of others execute their undertaking, it will not be very wonderful that their labours, however zealous or affectionate, are frequently useless. For what is the advice that is commonly given? A few general maxims, enforced with vehemence, and inculcated with importunity, but failing for want of particular reference and immediate application. By Samuel Johnson Undertaking Labours Affectionate Useless Manner

It has long been observed, that an atheist has no just reason for endeavouring conversions; and yet none harass those minds which they can influence, with more importunity of solicitation to adopt their opinions. In proportion as they doubt the truth of their own doctrines, they are desirous to gain the attestation of another understanding: and industriously labour to win a proselyte, and eagerly catch at the slightest pretense to dignify their sect with a distinguished name. By Samuel Johnson Observed Conversions Influence Opinions Long

It is commonly observed, that when two Englishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather; they are in haste to tell each other, what each must already know, that it is hot or cold, bright or cloudy, windy or calm. By Samuel Johnson Englishmen Observed Meet Weather Cold

No man, however enslaved to his appetites, or hurried by his passions, can, while he preserves his intellects unimpaired, please himself with promoting the corruption of others. He whose merit has enlarged his influence would surely wish to exert it for the benefit of mankind. Yet such will be the effect of his reputation, while he suffers himself to indulge in any favourite fault, that they who have no hope to reach his excellence will catch at his failings, and his virtues will be cited to justify the copiers of his vices. By Samuel Johnson Man Appetites Passions Unimpaired Enslaved

To go and see one druidical temple is only to see that it is nothing, for there is neither art nor power in it; and seeing one is quite enough. By Samuel Johnson Druidical Temple Art Power

In a time of war the nation is always of one mind, eager to hear something good of themselves and ill of the enemy. At this time the task of the news-writer is easy; they have nothing to do but to tell that a battle is expected, and afterwards that a battle has been fought, in which we and our friends, whether conquering or conquered, did all, and our enemies did nothing. By Samuel Johnson Mind Eager Enemy Time War

... the distance is commonly very great between actual performances and speculative possibility. It is natural to suppose, that as much as has been done to-day may be done to-morrow; but on the morrow some difficulty emerges or some external impediment obstructs. Indolence, interruption, business, and pleasure; all take their turns of retardation; and every long work is lengthened by a thousand causes that can, and ten thousand that cannot, be recounted. Perhaps no extensive and multifarious performance was ever effected within the term originally fixed in the undertaker's mind. He that runs against Time, has an antagonist not subject to casualties.From Samuel Johnson's Lives of the Poets series, published in 3 volumes between 1779 and 1781, on Alexander Pope By Samuel Johnson Thousand Possibility Time Pope Samuel

To purchase Heaven has gold the power?Can gold remove the mortal hour?In life can love be bought with gold?Are friendship's pleasures to be sold?Noall that's worth a wisha thought,Fair virtue gives unbribed, unbought.Cease then on trash thy hopes to bind,Let nobler views engage thy mind. By Samuel Johnson Noall Heaven Gold Thy Power

Being married to those sleepy-souled women is just like playing at cards for nothing: no passion is excited and the time is filled up. I do not, however, envy a fellow one of those honeysuckle wives for my part, as they are but creepers at best and commonly destroy the tree they so tenderly cling about. By Samuel Johnson Married Sleepysouled Women Playing Cards

Glory, the casual gift of thoughtless crowds!Glory, the bribe of avaricious virtue! By Samuel Johnson Glory Crowds Virtue Casual Gift

Come, let me know what it is that makes a Scotch man happy! By Samuel Johnson Scotch Happy Makes Man

By the consultation of books, whether of dead or living authors, many temptations of petulance and opposition, which occur in oral conferences, are avoided. An authour cannot obtrude his advice unasked, nor can be often suspected of any malignant intention to insult his readers with his knowledge or his wit. Yet so prevalent is the habit of comparing ourselves with others, while they remain within the reach of our passions, that books are seldom read with complete impartiality, but by those from whom the writer is placed at such a distance that his life or death is indifferent. By Samuel Johnson Authors Opposition Conferences Avoided Consultation

The botanist looks upon the astronomer as a being unworthy of his regard; and he that is glowing great and happy by electrifying a bottle wonders how the world can be engaged by trifling prattle about war and peace. By Samuel Johnson Regard Peace Botanist Astronomer Unworthy

That friendship may be at once fond and lasting, there must not only be equal virtue on each part, but virtue of the same kind; not only the same end must be proposed, but the same means must be approved by both. By Samuel Johnson Virtue Lasting Part Kind Proposed

This merriment of parsons is mighty offensive. By Samuel Johnson Offensive Merriment Parsons Mighty

Merriment is always the effect of a sudden impression. The jest which is expected is already destroyed. By Samuel Johnson Merriment Impression Effect Sudden Destroyed

Nothing is more hopeless than a scheme of merriment. By Samuel Johnson Merriment Hopeless Scheme

Remember that nothing will supply the want of prudence, and that negligence and irregularity long continued will make knowledge useless, wit ridiculous, and genius contemptible. By Samuel Johnson Remember Prudence Useless Wit Ridiculous

Order is a lovely nymph, the child of Beauty and Wisdom; her attendants are Comfort, Neatness, and Activity; her abode is the valley of happiness: she is always to be found when sought for, and never appears so lovely as when contrasted with her opponent, Disorder. By Samuel Johnson Neatness Disorder Wisdom Comfort Activity

Plenty is the original cause of many of our needs; and even the poverty, which is so frequent and distressful in civilized nations, proceeds often from that change of manners which opulence has produced. Nature makes us poor only when we want necessaries; but custom gives the name of poverty to the want of superfluities. By Samuel Johnson Plenty Nations Proceeds Produced Poverty

If authority be required, let us appeal to Plutarch, the prince of ancient biographers. [Greek: Oute tais epiphanestatais praxesi pantos enesti daelosis aretaes ae kakias, alla pragma brachu pollakis, kai raema, kai paidia tis emphasin aethous epoiaesen mallon ae machai murionekroi, kai parataxeis ai megistai, kai poliorkiai poleon.] Nor is it always in the most distinguished atchievements that men's virtues or vices may be best discerned; but very often an action of small note, a short saying, or a jest, shall distinguish a person's real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battles. By Samuel Johnson Plutarch Kai Required Biographers Greek

It is generally allowed, that no man ever found the happiness of possession proportionate to that expectation which incited his desire, and invigorated his pursuit; nor has any man found the evils of life so formidable in reality, as they were described to him by his own imagination; every species of distress brings with it some peculiar supports, some unforeseen means of resisting, or powers of enduring. By Samuel Johnson Found Man Allowed Desire Pursuit

There is no matter what children should learn first, any more than what leg you should put into your breeches first. Sir, you may stand disputing which is best to put in first, but in the meantime your backside is bare. Sire, while you stand considering which of two things you should teach your child first, another boy has learn't 'em both. By Samuel Johnson Put Matter Children Learn Leg

It is no matter what you teach them first, any more than what leg you shall put into your breeches first. You may stand disputing which is best to put in first, but in the mean time your breech is bare. Sir, while you are considering which of two things you should teach your child first, another boy has learned them both. By Samuel Johnson Put Matter Leg Breeches Teach

The longer we live the more we think and the higher the value we put on friendship and tenderness towards parents and friends. By Samuel Johnson Friends Longer Live Higher Put

Truth, like beauty, varies its fashions, and is best recommended by different dresses to different minds; and he that recalls the attention of mankind to any part of learning which time has left behind it, may be truly said to advance the literatures of his own age. As the manners of nations vary, new topicks of persuasion become necessary, and new combinations of imagery are produced; and he that can accommodate himself to the reigning taste, may always have readers who perhaps would not have looked upon better performances. By Samuel Johnson Truth Beauty Varies Fashions Minds

ALPHA (A'LPHA) n.s.The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to our A; therefore used to signify the first. I am alpha and omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.BibleRevelat. By Samuel Johnson Greek Alpha Alpha Alphabet Answering

If the man who turnips cries, Cry not when his father dies, 'Tis proof that he had rather Have a turnip than his father. By Samuel Johnson Cry Tis Father Cries Dies

If an author be supposed to involve his thoughts in voluntary obscurity, and to obstruct, by unnecessary difficulties, a mind eager in the pursuit of truth; if he writes not to make others learned, but to boast the learning which he possesses himself, and wishes to be admired rather than understood, he counteracts the first end of writing, and justly suffers the utmost severity of censure, or the more afflicting severity of neglect. By Samuel Johnson Severity Obscurity Obstruct Difficulties Truth

Whoever thinks of going to bed before twelve o'clock is a scoundrel. By Samuel Johnson Scoundrel Bed Twelve Oclock

There are animals that borrow their colour from the neighbouring body, and consequently vary their hue as they happen to change their place. In like manner it ought to be the endeavour of every man to derive his reflections from the objects about him; for it is to no purpose that he alters his position, if his attention continues fixed to the same point. The mind should be kept open to the access of every new idea, and so far disengaged from the predominance of particular thoughts, as easily to accommodate itself to occasional entertainment. By Samuel Johnson Body Place Animals Borrow Colour

I soon found that wit, like every other power, has its boundaries; that its success depends upon the aptitude of others to receive impressions; and that as some bodies, indissoluble by heat, can set the furnace and crucible at defiance, there are min By Samuel Johnson Wit Power Boundaries Impressions Bodies

I will take no more physick, not even my opiates; for I have prayed that I may render up my soul to God unclouded. By Samuel Johnson God Physick Opiates Unclouded Prayed

Week of taverns soon qualified him for another year of night-cellars. Such was the life of Savage, of Boyse, and of a crowd of others. Sometimes blazing in gold-laced hats and waistcoats; sometimes lying in bed because their coats had gone to pieces, or wearing paper cravats because their linen was in pawn; sometimes drinking Champagne and Tokay with Betty Careless; sometimes standing at the window of an eating-house in Porridge island, to snuff up the scent of what they could not afford to taste; they knew luxury; they knew beggary; but they never knew comfort. These men were irreclaimable. They looked on a regular and frugal life with the same aversion which an old gipsy or a Mohawk hunter feels for a stationary abode, and for the restraints and securities of civilised communities. They were as untameable, as much wedded to their desolate freedom, as the wild ass. By Samuel Johnson Knew Week Nightcellars Taverns Qualified

Marriage is the strictest tie of perpetual friendship, and there can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity; and he must expect to be wretched, who pays to beauty, riches, or politeness that regard which only virtue and piety can claim. By Samuel Johnson Riches Friendship Confidence Marriage Integrity

Self-love is a busy prompter. By Samuel Johnson Selflove Prompter Busy

stoodAloof from streets, encompass'd with a wood.Dryden.2. Applied to persons, it often insinuates caution and circumspection. Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel,And make the cowards stand aloof at bay.Shak.Henry VI. Going northwards, aloof, as long as they had any doubt of being pursued, at last when they were out of reach, they turned and crossed the ocean to Spain.Bacon. The king would not, by any means, enter the city, until he had aloof seen the cross set up upon the greater tower of Granada, whereby it became Christian ground.Bacon'sHen. VII. Two pots stood by a river, one of brass, the other of clay. The water carried them away; the earthen vessel kept aloof from t'other.L'Estrange'sFables. The strong may fight aloof; Ancaeus try'dHis force too By Samuel Johnson Aloof Stoodaloof Streets Encompass Vii

AMBIDEXTER (AMBIDE'XTER) n.s.[Lat.]1. A man who has equally the use of both his hands. Rodiginus, undertaking to give a reason of ambidexters, and left-handed men, deliverth a third opinion.Brown'sVul. Err.2. A man who is equally ready to act on either side, in party disputes. This sense is ludicrous. By Samuel Johnson Lat Ambidexter Man Ambidexters Equally

Men do not suspect faults which they do not commit By Samuel Johnson Men Commit Suspect Faults

Good breeding consists in having no particular mark of any profession, but a general elegance of manners. By Samuel Johnson Good Profession Manners Breeding Consists

If a man is in doubt whether it would be better for him to expose himself to martyrdom or not, he should not do it. He must be convinced that he has a delegation from heaven. By Samuel Johnson Man Doubt Expose Martyrdom Heaven

Governors being accustomed to hear of more crimes than they can punish, and more wrongs than they can redress, set themselves at ease by indiscriminate negligence, and presently forget the request when they lose sight of the petitioner. By Samuel Johnson Governors Punish Redress Set Negligence

We are unreasonably desirous to separate the goods of life from those evils which Providence has connected with them, and to catch advantages without paying the price at which they are offered to us. Every man wishes to be rich, but very few have the powers necessary to raise a sudden fortune, either by new discoveries, or by superiority of skill in any necessary employment; and among lower understandings many want the firmness and industry requisite to regular gain and gradual acquisitions. By Samuel Johnson Providence Unreasonably Desirous Separate Goods

Friendship, peculiar boon of Heaven, The noble mind's delight and pride, To men and angels only given, To all the lower world denied. By Samuel Johnson Friendship Heaven Peculiar Pride Denied

I love the acquaintance of young people; because, in the first place, I do not like to think myself growing old. In the next place, young acquaintances must last longest, if they do last; and then, sir, young men have more virtue than old men; they have more generous sentiments in every respect. By Samuel Johnson Place People Young Love Growing

To fix the thoughts by writing, and subject them to frequent examinations and reviews, is the best method of enabling the mind to detect its own sophisms, and keep it on guard against the fallacies which it practices on others By Samuel Johnson Writing Reviews Sophisms Fix Thoughts

ALLODIUM (ALLO'DIUM) n.s.[A word of very uncertain derivation, but most probably of German original.]A possession held in absolute independence, without any acknowledgment of a lord paramount. It is opposed to fee, or feudum, which intimates some kind of dependance. There are no allodial lands in England, all being held either mediately or immediately of the king. By Samuel Johnson Allodium German Allodium Derivation Original

Such is the common process of marriage. A youth and maiden exchange meeting by chance, or brought together by artifice, exchange glances, reciprocate civilities, go home, and dream of one another. Having little to divert attention, or diversify thought, they find themselves uneasy when they are apart, and therefore conclude that they shall be happy together. They marry, and discover what nothing but voluntary blindness had before concealed; they wear out life in altercations, and charge nature with cruelty. By Samuel Johnson Marriage Common Process Exchange Chance

In misery's darkest cavern known, His useful care was ever nigh Where hopeless anguish pour'd his groan, And lonely want retir'd to die. By Samuel Johnson Groan Die Misery Darkest Cavern

To wipe all tears from off all faces is a task too hard for mortals; but to alleviate misfortunes is often within the most limited power: yet the opportunities which every day affords of relieving the most wretched of human beings are overlooked and neglected with equal disregard of policy and goodness. By Samuel Johnson Mortals Power Goodness Wipe Tears

When once a man has made celebrity necessary to his happiness, he has put it in the power of the weakest and most timorous malignity, if not to take away his satisfaction, at least to withhold it. His enemies may indulge their pride by airy negligence and gratify their malice by quiet neutrality. By Samuel Johnson Happiness Malignity Satisfaction Man Made

Though I love to spend, I hate be cheated, and I found that to build is to be robbed. By Samuel Johnson Spend Cheated Robbed Love Hate

Philosophers there are who try to make themselves believe that this life is happy; but they believe it only while they are saying it, and never yet produced conviction in a single mind. By Samuel Johnson Philosophers Happy Mind Make Life

A patriot is he whose public conduct is regulated by one single motive, the love of his country; who, as an agent in parliament, has, for himself, neither hope nor fear, neither kindness nor resentment, but refers every thing to the common interest By Samuel Johnson Motive Country Parliament Fear Resentment

He that condemns himself to compose on a stated day will often bring to his task attention dissipated, a memory embarrassed, an imagination overwhelmed, a mind distracted with anxieties, a body languishing with disease: he will labour on a barren topic till it is too late to change it; or, in the ardour of invention, diffuse his thoughts into wild exuberance, which the pressing hour of publication cannot suffer judgment to examine or reduce. By Samuel Johnson Dissipated Embarrassed Overwhelmed Anxieties Disease

The great effect of friendship is beneficence, yet by the first act of uncommon kindness it is endangered. By Samuel Johnson Beneficence Endangered Great Effect Friendship

Piety practiced in solitude, like the flower that blooms in the desert, may give its fragrance to the winds of heaven, and delight those unbodied spirits that survey the works of God and the actions of men; but it bestows no assistance upon earthly beings, and however free from taints of impurity, yet wants the sacred splendor of beneficence. By Samuel Johnson God Piety Solitude Desert Heaven

Every man has some favorite topic of conversation, on which, by a feigned seriousness of attention, he may be drawn to expatiate without end. By Samuel Johnson Conversation Attention End Man Favorite

Human experience, which is constantly contradicting theory, is the great test of truth. A system, built upon the discoveries of a great many minds, is always of more strength, than what is produced by the mere workings of any one mind, which, of itself, can do very little. There is not so poor a book in the world that would not be a prodigious effort were it wrought out entirely by a single mind, without the aid of prior investigators. By Samuel Johnson Human Experience Theory Truth Great

1. Turn all care out of your head as soon as you mount the chaise. 2. Do not think about frugality: your health is worth more than it can cost. 3. Do not continue any day's journey to fatigue. 4. Take now and then a day's rest. 5. Get a smart seasickness if you can. 6. Cast away all anxiety, and keep your mind easy. This last direction is the principal; with an unquiet mind neither exercise, nor diet, nor physic can be of much use. By Samuel Johnson Day Mind Cast Turn Chaise

An old friend never can be found, and nature has provided that he cannot easily be lost. By Samuel Johnson Found Lost Friend Nature Provided

The certainty that life cannot be long, and the probability that it will be much shorter than nature allows, ought to awaken every man to the active prosecution of whatever he is desirous to perform. It is true, that no diligence can ascertain success; death may intercept the swiftest career; but he who is cut off in the execution of an honest undertaking has at least the honour of falling in his rank, and has fought the battle, though he missed the victory. By Samuel Johnson Long Perform Certainty Life Probability

How many may a man of diffusive conversation count among his acquaintances, whose lives have been signalized by numberless escapes; who never cross the river but in a storm, or take a journey into the country without more adventures than befel the knights-errant of ancient times in pathless forests or enchanted castles! How many must he know, to whom portents and prodigies are of daily occurrence; and for whom nature is hourly working wonders invisible to every other eye, only to supply them with subjects of conversation? By Samuel Johnson Acquaintances Escapes Storm Castles Conversation

Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense. The power of invention has been conferred by nature upon few, and the labour of learning those sciences which may, by mere labour, be obtained, is too great to be willingly endured; but every man can exert some judgment as he has upon the works of others; and he whom nature has made weak, and idleness keeps ignorant, may yet support his vanity by the name of critic. By Samuel Johnson Criticism Expense Study Men Grow

High people, sir, are the best; take a hundred ladies of quality, you'll find them better wives, better mothers, more willing to sacrifice their own pleasures to their children, than a hundred other woman. By Samuel Johnson Sir Hundred High People Quality

It is dangerous for mortal beauty, or terrestrial virtue, to be examined by too strong a light. The torch of Truth shows much that we cannot, and all that we would not, see. By Samuel Johnson Beauty Virtue Light Dangerous Mortal

All bodies have spirits and pneumatical parts within them; but the main differences between animate and inanimate, are two: the first is, that the spirit of things animate are all contained within themselves, and are branched in veins and secret canals, as blood is; and, in living creatures, the spirits have not only branches, but certain cells or seats, where the principal spirits do reside, and whereunto the rest do resort: but the spirits in things inanimate are shut in, and cut off by the tangible parts, and are not pervious one to another, as air is in snow.Bacon'sNatural History,No 601. By Samuel Johnson Spirits Parts Animate Inanimate Things

Shakespeare's plays are not in the rigorous and critical sense either tragedies or comedies, but compositions of a distinct kind; exhibiting the real state of sublunary nature, which partakes of good and evil, joy and sorrow, mingled with endless variety of proportion and innumerable modes of combination; and expressing the course of the world, in which the loss of one is the gain of another; in which, at the same time, the reveller is hasting to his wine, and the mourner burying his friend; in which the malignity of one is sometimes defeated by the frolick of another; and many mischiefs and many benefits are done and hindered without design. By Samuel Johnson Shakespeare Comedies Kind Exhibiting Nature

Among the innumerable mortifications which waylay human arrogance on every side may well be reckoned our ignorance of the most common objects and effects, a defect of which we become more sensible by every attempt to supply it. Vulgar and inactive minds confound familiarity with knowledge and conceive themselves informed of the whole nature of things when they are shown their form or told their use; but the speculatist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity, and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows less. By Samuel Johnson Effects Innumerable Mortifications Waylay Human

The fountain of content must spring up in the mind, and he who hath so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts and multiply the grief he proposes to remove. By Samuel Johnson Mind Disposition Remove Fountain Content

Life is but short; no time can be afforded but for the indulgence of real sorry, or contests upon questions seriously momentous. Let us not throw away any of our days upon useless resentment, or contend who shall hold out longest in stubborn malignity. It is best not to be angry; and best, in the next place, to be quickly reconciled. By Samuel Johnson Life Short Momentous Time Afforded

I am a friend to subordination, as most conducive to the happiness of society. There is a reciprocal pleasure in governing and being governed. By Samuel Johnson Subordination Society Friend Conducive Happiness

It was his peculiar happiness that he scarcely ever found a stranger whom he did not leave a friend; but it must likewise be added, that he had not often a friend long without obliging him to become a stranger. By Samuel Johnson Stranger Friend Added Peculiar Happiness

No weakness of the human mind has more frequently incurred animadversion, than the negligence with which men overlook their own faults, however flagrant, and the easiness with which they pardon them, however frequently repeated. By Samuel Johnson Frequently Animadversion Faults Flagrant Repeated

Dishonor waits on perfidy. A man should blush to think a falsehood; it is the crime of cowards. By Samuel Johnson Dishonor Perfidy Waits Falsehood Cowards

Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings. Far from me, and far from my friends be such frigid philosophy as may conduct us indifferent and unmoved over any ground which has been dignified by wisdom, bravery, or virtue. That man is little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Ionia. By Samuel Johnson Senses Past Distant Future Predominate

Among the calamities of war may be justly numbered the diminution of the love of truth by falsehoods which interest dictates and credulity encourages. A peace will equally leave the warrior and the relater of wars destitute of employment; and I know not whether more is to be dreaded from streets filled with soldiers accustomed to plunder, or from garrets filled with scribblers accustomed to lie. By Samuel Johnson Encourages Calamities Justly Numbered Diminution

In the bottle discontent seeks for comfort, cowardice for courage, and bashfulness for confidence. By Samuel Johnson Comfort Cowardice Courage Confidence Bottle

The love of fame is a passion natural and universal, which no man, however high or mean, however wise or ignorant, was yet able to despise. By Samuel Johnson Universal Man Ignorant Despise Love

Accustom your children constantly to this; if a thing happened at one window and they, when relating it, say that it happened at another, do not let it pass, but instantly check them; you do not know where deviation from truth will end By Samuel Johnson Happened Accustom Pass End Children

To understand the works of celebrated authors, to comprehend their systems, and retain their reasonings, is a task more than equal to common intellects; and he is by no means to be accounted useless or idle, who has stored his mind with acquired knowledge, and can detail it occasionally to others who have less leisure or weaker abilities. By Samuel Johnson Authors Systems Reasonings Intellects Idle

It is scarcely credible to what degree discernment may be dazzled by the mist of pride, and wisdom infatuated by the intoxication of flattery. By Samuel Johnson Pride Flattery Scarcely Credible Degree

No cause more frequently produces bashfulness than too high an opinion of our own importance. He that imagines an assembly filled with his merit, panting with expectation, and hushed with attention, easily terrifies himself with the dread of disappointing them, and strains his imagination in pursuit of something that may vindicate the veracity of fame, and show that his reputation was not gained by chance. By Samuel Johnson Importance Frequently Produces Bashfulness High

Towering is the confidence of twenty-one. By Samuel Johnson Towering Twentyone Confidence

A translator is to be like his author; it is not his business to excel him. By Samuel Johnson Author Translator Business Excel

Don't think of retiring from the world until the world will be sorry that you retire. I hate a fellow whom pride or cowardice or laziness drive into a corner, and who does nothing when he is there but sit and growl. Let him come out as I do, and bark. By Samuel Johnson World Retire Retiring Corner Growl

It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find all the motives which they have for remaining in that connection, and the restraints which civilised society imposes to prevent separation, are hardly sufficient to keep them together. By Samuel Johnson Marriage Connection Separation Natural Man

It has been observed in all ages that the advantages of nature or of fortune have contributed very little to the promotion of happiness; and that those whom the splendour of their rank, or the extent of their capacity, have placed upon the summits of human life, have not often given any just occasion to envy in those who look up to them from a lower station; whether it be that apparent superiority incites great designs, and great designs are naturally liable to fatal miscarriages; or that the general lot of mankind is misery, and the misfortunes of those whose eminence drew upon them an universal attention, have been more carefully recorded, because they were more generally observed, and have in reality only been more conspicuous than others, not more frequent, or more severe. By Samuel Johnson Great Designs Observed Happiness Rank

Many a man is mad in certain instances, and goes through life without having it perceived. For example, a madness has seized a person of supposing himself obliged literally to pray continually; had the madness turned the opposite way, and the person thought it a crime ever to pray, it might not improbably have continued unobserved. By Samuel Johnson Instances Perceived Man Mad Life

A good wife is like the ivy which beautifies the building to which it clings, twining its tendrils more lovingly as time converts the ancient edifice into a ruin. By Samuel Johnson Clings Twining Ruin Good Wife

Wine makes a man more pleased with himself; I do not say it makes him more pleasing to others. By Samuel Johnson Wine Makes Man Pleased Pleasing

Among the many inconsistencies which folly produces or infirmity suffers in the human mind, there has often been observed a manifest and striking contrariety between the life of an author and his writings ... Those whom the appearance of virtue or the evidence of genius has tempted to a nearer knowledge of the writer, in whose performances they may be found, have indeed had frequent reason to repent their curiosity. By Samuel Johnson Mind Writings Inconsistencies Folly Produces

The true genius is a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction. By Samuel Johnson Powers Accidentally Direction True Genius

The love of retirement has in all ages adhered closely to those minds which have been most enlarged by knowledge, or elevated by genius. Those who enjoyed everything generally supposed to confer happiness have been forced to seek it in the shades of privacy. By Samuel Johnson Knowledge Genius Love Retirement Ages

Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such,We scarcely can praise it or blame it too much; Who, born for the Universe, narrowed his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind. By Samuel Johnson Edmund Universe Born Narrowed Mind

ALKERMES (ALKE'RMES) n.s.In medicine, a term borrowed from the Arabs, denoting a celebrated remedy, of the form and consistence of a confection; whereof the kermes berries are the basis. The other ingredients are pippin-cyder, rose-water, sugar, ambergrease, musk, cinnamon, aloes-wood, pearls, and leaf-gold; but the sweets are usually omitted. The confectio alkermes is chiefly made at Montpelier, which supplies most part of Europe therewith. The grain, which gives it the denomination, is nowhere found so plentifully as there.Chambers. By Samuel Johnson Arabs Alkermes Medicine Alkermes Denoting

Some claim a place in the list of patriots, by an acrimonious and unremitting opposition to the court. This mark is by no means infallible. Patriotism is not necessarily included in rebellion. A man may hate his king, yet not love his country. By Samuel Johnson Patriots Court Claim Place List

Politeness is fictitious benevolence. Depend upon it, the want of it never fails to produce something disagreeable to one or other. By Samuel Johnson Politeness Benevolence Fictitious Depend Fails

Between falsehood and useless truth there is little difference. As gold which he cannot spend will make no man rich, so knowledge which cannot apply will make no man wise. By Samuel Johnson Difference Make Falsehood Useless Truth

There is scarcely any writer who has not celebrated the happiness of rural privacy, and delighted himself and his reader with the melody of birds, the whisper of groves, and the murmur of rivulets. By Samuel Johnson Privacy Birds Groves Rivulets Scarcely

Spring is the season of gaiety, and winter of terror; in spring the heart of tranquility dances to the melody of the groves, and the eye of benevolence sparkles at the sight of happiness and plenty: in winter, compassion melts at universal calamity, and the tear of softness starts at the wailing of hunger and the cries of the creation in distress By Samuel Johnson Spring Winter Gaiety Terror Groves

To preserve health is a moral and religious duty, for health is the basis of all social virtues. We can no longer be useful when not well. By Samuel Johnson Health Duty Virtues Preserve Moral

Sir, I have no objection to a man's drinking wine, if he can do it in moderation. I found myself apt to go to excess in it, and therefore, after having been for some time without it, on account of illness, I thought it better not to return to it. Every man is to judge for himself, according to the effects which he experiences. By Samuel Johnson Sir Wine Moderation Objection Drinking

Good sense alone is a sedate and quiescent quality, which manages its possessions well, but does not increase them; it collects few materials for its own operations, and preserves safety, but never gains supremacy. By Samuel Johnson Good Quality Operations Safety Supremacy

We are told, that the black bear is innocent; but I should not like to trust myself with him. By Samuel Johnson Told Innocent Black Bear Trust

The wickedness of a loose or profane author is more atrocious than that of a giddy libertine or drunken ravisher, not only because it extends its effects wider, as a pestilence that taints the air is more destructive than poison infused in a draught, but because it is committed with cool deliberation. By Samuel Johnson Ravisher Wider Draught Deliberation Wickedness

A short letter to a distant friend is, in my opinion, an insult like that of a slight bow or cursory salutation - a proof of unwillingness to do much, even where there is a necessity of doing something. By Samuel Johnson Opinion Salutation Short Letter Distant

It is thus that mutual cowardice keeps us in peace. Were one half of mankind brave and one cowards, the brave would be always beating the cowards. Were all brave, they would lead a very uneasy life; all would be continually fighting; but being all cowards, we go on very well. By Samuel Johnson Cowards Peace Brave Mutual Cowardice

While he was at Lichfield, in the college vacation of the year 1729, he felt himself overwhelmed with an horrible hypochondria, with perpetual irritation, fretfulness, and impatience; and with a dejection, gloom, and despair, which made existence misery. From this dismal malady he never afterwards was perfectly relieved; and all his labours, and all his enjoyments, were but temporary interruptions of its baleful influence. By Samuel Johnson Lichfield Fretfulness Gloom Year Hypochondria

There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth. It is apparent that men can be social beings no longer than they believe each other. When speech is employed only as the vehicle of falsehood, every man must disunite himself from others, inhabit his own cave and seek prey only for himself. By Samuel Johnson Truth Crime Infamous Violation Falsehood

By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show. By Samuel Johnson London Show Life World

A man who uses a great many words to express his meaning is like a bad marksman who, instead of aiming a single stone at an object, takes up a handful and throws at it in hopes he may hit. By Samuel Johnson Object Hit Man Great Words

The rules that I shall propose concerning secrecy, and from which I think it not safe to deviate without long and exact deliberation, are, never to solicit the knowledge of a secret,not willingly, nor without many limitations, to accept such confidence when it is offered; when a secret is once admitted, to consider the trust as of a very high nature, important as society and sacred as truth, and therefore not to be violated for any incidental convenience, or slight appearance of contrary fitness. By Samuel Johnson Secrecy Deliberation Willingly Limitations Offered

There is reason to suspect, that the distinctions of mankind have more show than value, when it is found that all agree to be weary alike of pleasures and of cares; that the powerful and the weak, the celebrated and obscure, join in one common wish, and implore from nature's hand the nectar of oblivion. By Samuel Johnson Suspect Cares Weak Obscure Join

Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance. By Samuel Johnson Skill Things Impossible Diligence Great

I am not yet so lost in lexicography, as to forget that words are the daughters of the earth, and that things are the sons of heaven. Language is only the instrument of science, and words are but the signs of ideas: I wish, however, that the instrument might be less apt to decay, and that signs might be permanent, like the things which they denote. By Samuel Johnson Words Lexicography Earth Heaven Things

I am not so lost in lexicography as to forget that words are the daughters of earth, and that things are the sons of heaven. By Samuel Johnson Earth Heaven Lost Lexicography Forget

The relief of enemies has a tendency to unite mankind in fraternal affection. By Samuel Johnson Affection Relief Enemies Tendency Unite

Every man is, or hopes to be, an idler By Samuel Johnson Idler Man Hopes

To be idle and to be poor have always been reproaches, and therefore every man endeavors with his utmost care to hide his poverty from others, and his idleness from himself. By Samuel Johnson Reproaches Idle Poor Man Endeavors

Perhaps man is the only being that can properly be called idle. By Samuel Johnson Idle Man Properly Called

Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don't think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire. By Samuel Johnson World Exert Talents Retire Distinguish

There have been men indeed splendidly wicked, whose endowments threw a brightness on their crimes, and whom scarce any villany made perfectly detestable, because they never could be wholly divested of their excellencies; but such have been in all ages the great corrupters of the world, and their resemblance ought no more to be preserved, than the art of murdering without pain. By Samuel Johnson Wicked Crimes Detestable Excellencies World

No writer can be fully convicted of imitation except there is a concurrence of more resemblance than can be imagined to have happened by chance; as where the same ideas are conjoined without any natural series or necessary coherence, or where not only the thought but the words are copied. By Samuel Johnson Chance Coherence Copied Writer Fully

It is unpleasing to represent our affairs to our own disadvantage; yet it is necessary to shew the evils which we desire to be removed. By Samuel Johnson Disadvantage Removed Unpleasing Represent Affairs

He is a benefactor of mankind who contracts the great rules of life into the short sentences, that may be easily impressed on the memory, and so recur habitually to the mind. By Samuel Johnson Sentences Memory Mind Benefactor Mankind

Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully. By Samuel Johnson Sir Depend Fortnight Wonderfully Man

We feared pain much earlier than we apprehended guilt, and were delighted with the sensations of pleasure, before we had capacities to be charmed with the beauty of rectitude. To this power, thus early established, and incessantly increasing, it must be remembered that almost every man has, in some part of his life, added new strength by a voluntary or negligent subjection of himself; for who is there that has not instigated his appetites by indulgence, or suffered them, by an unresisting neutrality, to enlarge their dominion, and multiply their demands? By Samuel Johnson Guilt Pleasure Rectitude Feared Pain

So scanty is our present allowance of happiness that in many situations life could scarcely be supported if hope were not allowed to relieve the present hour by pleasures borrowed from the future. By Samuel Johnson Future Present Scanty Allowance Happiness

Without good humour, learning and bravery can only confer that superiority which swells the heart of the lion in the desert, where he roars without reply, and ravages without resistance. Without good humour virtue may awe by its dignity and amaze by its brightness, but must always be viewed at a distance, and will scarcely gain a friend or attract an imitator. By Samuel Johnson Good Learning Desert Reply Resistance

Every man is prompted by the love of himself to imagine that he possesses some qualities superior, either in kind or degree, to those which he sees allotted to the rest of the world. By Samuel Johnson Superior Degree World Man Prompted

The work of a correct and regular writer is a garden accurately formed and diligently planted, varied with shades, and scented with flowers. By Samuel Johnson Planted Varied Shades Flowers Work

Advice, as it always gives a temporary appearance of superiority, can never be very grateful, even when it is most necessary or most judicious. But for the same reason everyone is eager to instruct his neighbours. To be wise or to be virtuous is to buy dignity and importance at a high price; but when nothing is necessary to elevation but detection of the follies or faults of others, no man is so insensible to the voice of fame as to linger on the ground. By Samuel Johnson Advice Superiority Grateful Judicious Temporary

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. By Samuel Johnson Commerce Opinion Fortune Inconstant Mother

Treating your adversary with respect is striking soft in battle. By Samuel Johnson Treating Battle Adversary Respect Striking

It is natural for every man uninstructed to murmur at his condition, because, in the general infelicity of life, he feels his own miseries without knowing that they are common to all the rest of the species; and, therefore, though he will not be less sensible of pain by being told that others are equally tormented, he will at least be freed from the temptation of seeking, by perpetual changes, that ease which is no where to be found, and though his diseases still continue, he escapes the hazard of exasperating it by remedies. By Samuel Johnson Condition Life Species Tormented Seeking

The return of my birthday, if I remember it, fills me with thoughts which it seems to be the general care of humanity to escape. By Samuel Johnson Birthday Fills Escape Return Remember

Reason elevates our thoughts as high as the stars, and leads us through the vast space of this mighty fabric; yet it comes far short of the real extent of our corporeal being. By Samuel Johnson Reason Stars Fabric Elevates Thoughts

I would advise you Sir, to study algebra, if you are not already an adept in it: your head would be less muddy, and you will leave off tormenting your neighbors about paper and packthread, while we all live together in a world that is bursting with sin and sorrow. By Samuel Johnson Sir Algebra Muddy Packthread Sorrow

My dear friend, clear your mind of cant [excessive thought]. You may talk as other people do: you may say to a man, "Sir, I am your most humble servant." You are not his most humble servant. You may say, "These are bad times; it is a melancholy thing to be reserved to such times." You don't mind the times ... You may talk in this manner; it is a mode of talking in Society; but don't think foolishly. By Samuel Johnson Times Servant Friend Clear Excessive

Every class of society has its cant of lamentation, which is understood or regarded by none but themselves; and every part of life has its uneasiness, which those who do not feel them will not commiserate. An event which spreads distraction over half the commercial world, assembles the trading companies in councils and committees, and shakes the nerves of a thousand stockjobbers, is read by the landlord and the farmer with frigid indifference. By Samuel Johnson Lamentation Uneasiness Commiserate Class Society

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. By Samuel Johnson Pride Industry Discoveries Acquisitions Man

To expect that the intricacies of science will be pierced by a careless glance, or the eminences of fame ascended without labour, is to expect a peculiar privilege, a power denied to the rest of mankind; but to suppose that the maze is inscrutable to diligence, or the heights inaccessible to perseverance, is to submit tamely to the tyranny of fancy, and enchain the mind in voluntary shackles. By Samuel Johnson Expect Glance Labour Privilege Mankind

It is indeed not easy to distinguish affectation from habit; he that has once studiously developed a style, rarely writes afterwards with complete ease. By Samuel Johnson Habit Style Rarely Ease Easy

has been demanded, on one hand, that men should write as they speak; but, as it has been shown that this conformity never was attained in any language, and that it is not more easy to persuade men to agree exactly in speaking than in writing, it may be asked, with equal propriety, why men do not rather speak as they write. In By Samuel Johnson Men Write Speak Demanded Hand

Our minds should not be empty because if they are not preoccupied by good, evil will break in upon them. By Samuel Johnson Good Evil Minds Empty Preoccupied

The natural progress of the works of men is from rudeness to convenience, from convenience to elegance, and from elegance to nicety. By Samuel Johnson Convenience Elegance Nicety Natural Progress

APOPHYGE (APO'PHYGE) n.s.[ flight, or escape.]Is, in architecture, that part of a column, where it begins to spring out of its base; and was originally no more than the ring or ferrel, which anciently bound the extremities of wooden pillars, to keep them from splitting, and were afterward imitated in stone work. We sometimes call it the spring of the column.Chambers. By Samuel Johnson Apophyge Apophyge Flight Escape Architecture

It is not possible to be regarded with tenderness, except by a few. That merit which gives greatness and renown diffuses its influence to a wide compass, but acts weakly on every single breast; it is placed at a distance from common spectators, and shines like one of the remote stars, of which the light reaches us, but not the heat. By Samuel Johnson Tenderness Regarded Compass Breast Spectators

The appearance and retirement of actors are the great events of the theatrical world; and their first performances fill the pit with conjecture and prognostication, as the first actions of a new monarch agitate nations with hope and fear. By Samuel Johnson World Prognostication Fear Appearance Retirement

The booksellers are generous liberal-minded men. By Samuel Johnson Men Booksellers Generous Liberalminded

There will always be a part, and always a very large part of every community, that have no care but for themselves, and whose care for themselves reaches little further than impatience of immediate pain, and eagerness for the nearest good. By Samuel Johnson Part Care Community Pain Good

The desire of advising has a very extensive prevalence; and, since advice cannot be given but to those that will hear it, a patient listener is necessary to the accommodation of all those who desire to be confirmed in the opinion of their own wisdom: a patient listener, however, is not always to be had; the present age, whatever age is present, is so vitiated and disordered, that young people are readier to talk than to attend, and good counsel is only thrown away upon those who are full of their own perfections. By Samuel Johnson Patient Listener Desire Present Age

Quack: A boastful pretender to arts which he does not understand. A vain boastful pretender to physick; An artful, tricking practitioner in physick. By Samuel Johnson Quack Pretender Understand Boastful Physick

We are long before we are convinced that happiness is never to be found, and each believes it possessed by others, to keep alive the hope of obtaining it for himself. By Samuel Johnson Found Long Convinced Happiness Possessed

It may be laid down as a position which seldom deceives, that when a man cannot bear his own company, there is something wrong. By Samuel Johnson Deceives Company Wrong Laid Position

Whoever commits a fraud is guilty not only of the particular injury to him who he deceives, but of the diminution of that confidence which constitutes not only the ease but the existence of society. By Samuel Johnson Deceives Society Commits Fraud Guilty

Superfluous lags the veteran on the stage,Till pitying Nature signs the last release,And bids afflicted worth retire to peace. By Samuel Johnson Nature Superfluous Peace Lags Veteran

Fancy can hardly forbear to conjecture with what temper Milton surveyed the silent progress of his work, and marked his reputation stealing its way in a kind of subterraneous current through fear and silence. I cannot but conceive him calm and confident, little disappointed, not at all dejected, relying on his own great merit with steady consciousness, and waiting, without impatience, the vicissitudes of opinion, and the impartiality of a future generation. By Samuel Johnson Milton Fancy Work Silence Forbear

A man used to vicissitudes is not easily dejected. By Samuel Johnson Dejected Man Vicissitudes Easily

Nay, Sir, those who write in them, write well, in order to be paid well. By Samuel Johnson Sir Nay Write Order Paid

Repentance, however difficult to be practiced, is, if it be explained without superstition, easily understood. Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice from the conviction that it has offended God. By Samuel Johnson Repentance Practiced Superstition Easily Understood

The student who would build his knowledge on solid foundations, and proceed by just degrees to the pinnacles of truth, is directed by the great philosopher of France to begin by doubting of his own existence. In like manner, whoever would complete any arduous and intricate enterprise, should, as soon as his imagination can cool after the first blaze of hope, place before his own eyes every possible embarrassment that may retard or defeat him. He should first question the probability of success, and then endeavour to remove the objections that he has raised. By Samuel Johnson France Foundations Truth Existence Student

Nothing flatters a man as much as the happiness of his wife; he is always proud of himself as the source of it. By Samuel Johnson Wife Flatters Man Happiness Proud

Ye who listen with credulity to the whispers of fancy, and pursue with eagerness the phantoms of hope; who expect that age will perform the promises of youth, and that the deficiencies of the present day will be supplied by the morrow, - attend to the history of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia. By Samuel Johnson Rasselas Prince Abyssinia Fancy Hope

Consultation and compliance can conduce little to the perfection of any literary performance; for whoever is so doubtful of his own abilities as to encourage the remarks of others, will find himself every day embarrassed with new difficulties, and will harass his mind, in vain, with the hopeless labour of uniting heterogeneous ideas, digesting independent hints, and collecting into one point the several rays of borrowed light, emitted often with contrary directions. By Samuel Johnson Consultation Performance Difficulties Mind Vain

Avarice is generally the last passion of those lives of which the first part has been squandered in pleasure, and the second devoted to ambition. He that sinks under the fatigue of getting wealth, lulls his age with the milder business of saving it By Samuel Johnson Avarice Pleasure Ambition Generally Passion

This was among Johnson's most early attainments, for his was not that mere "lip-wisdom which wants experience." He was not the recluse scholar, unacquainted with the world and its ways, but he could from actual survey describe, with equal fidelity, those who sparkled in the highest order of society, and those who struggled with distress in the lower walks of life. His study was peculiarly man: and his comprehensive and generalizing mind led him to analyze the primary elements of human nature, rather than nicely to pourtray the shades of mixed character. By Samuel Johnson Johnson Attainments Mere Lipwisdom Experience

The usual fortune of complaint is to excite contempt more than pity. By Samuel Johnson Pity Usual Fortune Complaint Excite

Much is due to those who first broke the way to knowledge, and left only to their successors the task of smoothing it. By Samuel Johnson Knowledge Due Broke Left Successors

Small debts are like small shot; they are rattling on every side, and can scarcely be escaped without a wound: great debts are like cannon; of loud noise, but little danger. By Samuel Johnson Debts Small Shot Side Wound

Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions. By Samuel Johnson Friendship Love Absence Intermissions Destroyed

I would injure no man, and should provoke no resentment. I would relieve every distress, and should enjoy the benedictions of gratitude. I would choose my friends among the wise and my wife among the virtuous, and therefore should be in no danger from treachery or unkindness. My children should by my care be learned and pious, and would repay to my age what their childhood had received. By Samuel Johnson Man Resentment Injure Provoke Distress

Hell is paved with good intentions. By Samuel Johnson Hell Intentions Paved Good

Pope had been flattered till he thought himself one of the moving powers of the system of life. When he talked of laying down his pen, those who sat round him intreated and implored; and self-love did not suffer him to suspect that they went away and laughed. By Samuel Johnson Pope Life Flattered Till Thought

Wisdom and virtue are by no means sufficient, without the supplemental laws of good-breeding, to secure freedom from degenerating into rudeness, or self esteem from swelling into insolence. A thousand incivilities may be committed, and a thousand offices neglected. without any remorse of conscience, or reproach from reason. By Samuel Johnson Wisdom Sufficient Goodbreeding Rudeness Insolence

I am not able to instruct you. I can only tell that I have chosen wrong. I have passed my time in study without experience; in the attainment of sciences which can, for the most part, be but remotely useful to mankind. I have purchased knowledge at the expense of all the common comforts of life: I have missed the endearing elegance of female friendship, and the happy commerce of domestic tenderness. By Samuel Johnson Instruct Wrong Chosen Experience Part

The desires of man increase with his acquisitions. By Samuel Johnson Acquisitions Desires Man Increase

Lichfield, England. Swallows certainly sleep all winter. A number of them conglobulate together, by flying round and round, and then all in a heap throw themselves under water, and lye in the bed of a river. By Samuel Johnson England Lichfield Round Swallows Winter

Whoever thou art that, not content with a moderate condition, imaginest happiness in royal magnificence, and dreamest that command or riches can feed the appetite of novelty with perpetual gratifications, survey the Pyramids, and confess thy folly! By Samuel Johnson Pyramids Condition Imaginest Magnificence Gratifications

When a man marries a widow his jealousies revert to the past: no man is as good as his wife says her first husband was By Samuel Johnson Past Man Marries Widow Jealousies

He that outlives a wife whom he has long loved, sees himself disjoined from the only mind that has the same hopes, and fears, and interest; from the only companion with whom he has shared much good and evil; and with whom he could set his mind at liberty, to retrace the past or anticipate the future. The continuity of being is lacerated; the settled course of sentiment and action is stopped; and life stands suspended and motionless. By Samuel Johnson Mind Loved Hopes Fears Interest

Luxury, so far as it reaches the people, will do good to the race of people; it will strengthen and multiply them. Sir, no nation was ever hurt by luxury; for, as I said before; it can reach but a very few. By Samuel Johnson People Luxury Reaches Good Race

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations. By Samuel Johnson Lost Nations Pedigrees Language Languages

Who drives fat oxen should himself be fat. By Samuel Johnson Fat Drives Oxen

He that floats lazily down the stream, in pursuit of something borne along by the same current, will find himself indeed moved forward; but unless he lays his hand to the oar, and increases his speed by his own labour, must be always at the same distance from that which he is following. By Samuel Johnson Stream Current Forward Oar Labour

Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements. By Samuel Johnson Composition Perseverance Resolution Amusements Part

There are, indeed, few kinds of composition from which an author, however learned or ingenious, can hope a long continuance of fame. By Samuel Johnson Author Ingenious Fame Kinds Composition

To tell your own secrets is generally folly, but that folly is without guilt; to communicate those with which we are intrusted is always treachery, and treachery for the most part combined with folly. By Samuel Johnson Folly Guilt Treachery Secrets Generally

No member of society has the right to teach any doctrine contrary to what society holds to be true. By Samuel Johnson Society True Member Teach Doctrine

Power is gradually stealing away from the many to the few, because the few are more vigilant and consistent. By Samuel Johnson Power Consistent Gradually Stealing Vigilant

The perfect day for quitting is not real. It will never come, so might as well start today By Samuel Johnson Real Perfect Day Quitting Today

ALTAR (A'LTAR) n.s.[altare, Lat. It is observed by Junius, that the word altar is received, with christianity, in all the European languages; and that altare is used by one of the Fathers, as appropriated to the Christian worship, in opposition to the arae of gentilism.]1. The place where offerings to heaven are laid. The goddess By Samuel Johnson Altar Lat Junius Fathers Altare

An infallible characteristic of meanness is cruelty. Men who have practiced tortures on animals without pity, relating them without shame, how can they still hold their heads among human beings? By Samuel Johnson Cruelty Infallible Characteristic Meanness Men

In youth, it is common to measure right and wrong by the opinion of the world, and in age, to act without any measure but interest, and to lose shame without substituting virtue. By Samuel Johnson Measure Youth World Age Interest

Year chases year, decay pursues decay,Still drops some joy from with'ring life away;New forms arise, and diff'rent views engage By Samuel Johnson Decay Arise Engage Year Chases

So many objections may be made to everything, that nothing can overcome them but the necessity of doing something. By Samuel Johnson Objections Made Overcome Necessity

When a poet mentions the spring, we know that the zephyrs are about to whisper, that the groves are to recover their verdure, the linnets to warble forth their notes of love, and the flocks and herds to frisk over vales painted with flowers: yet, who is there so insensible of the beauties of nature, so little delighted with the renovation of the world, as not to feel his heart bound at the mention of the spring? By Samuel Johnson Spring Whisper Verdure Love Flowers

Of a thousand shavers, two do not shave so much alike as not to be distinguished. By Samuel Johnson Shavers Distinguished Thousand Shave Alike

Patron: One who countenances, supports or protects. Commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is repaid in flattery. By Samuel Johnson Patron Countenances Protects Supports Commonly

Books to judicious compilers, are useful; to particular arts and professions, they are absolutely necessary; to men of real science, they are tools: but more are tools to them. By Samuel Johnson Tools Books Compilers Professions Science

The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery. By Samuel Johnson Wanted Evidently Effrontery Advice Commonly

There are in every age new errors to be rectified and new prejudices to be opposed. By Samuel Johnson Opposed Age Errors Rectified Prejudices

Critics ought never to be consulted, but while errors may yet be rectified or insipidity suppressed. But when the book has once been dismissed into the world, and can be no more retouched, I know not whether a very different conduct should not be prescribed, and whether firmness and spirit may not sometimes be of use to overpower arrogance and repel brutality. By Samuel Johnson Critics Consulted Suppressed Errors Rectified

Foppery is never cured; it is the bad stamina of the mind, which, like those of the body, are never rectified; once a coxcomb always a coxcomb. By Samuel Johnson Coxcomb Foppery Cured Mind Body

Depend on it, I will defend this little citadel to the utmost. By Samuel Johnson Depend Utmost Defend Citadel

The traveler that resolutely follows a rough and winding path will sooner reach the end of his journey than he that is always changing his direction, and wastes the hour of daylight in looking for smoother ground and shorter passages. By Samuel Johnson Direction Passages Traveler Resolutely Rough

What is twice read is commonly better remembered that what is transcribed. By Samuel Johnson Transcribed Read Commonly Remembered

That we must all die, we always knew; I wish I had remembered it sooner. By Samuel Johnson Die Knew Sooner Remembered

Surely a long life must be somewhat tedious, since we are forced to call in so many trifling things to help rid us of our time, which will never return. By Samuel Johnson Surely Tedious Time Return Long

A hardened and shameless tea-drinker, who has, for twenty years, diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant; whose kettle has scarcely time to cool; who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and, with tea, welcomes the morning. By Samuel Johnson Tea Teadrinker Years Diluted Plant

As every writer has his use, every writer ought to have his patrons; and since no man, however high he may now stand, can be certain that he shall not be soon thrown down from his elevation by criticism or caprice, the common interest of learning requires that her sons should cease from intestine hostilities, and, instead of sacrificing each other to malice and contempt, endeavour to avert persecution from the meanest of their fraternity. By Samuel Johnson Writer Patrons Man Stand Caprice

We found in the course of our journey the convenience of having disencumbered ourselves, by laying aside whatever we could spare; for it is not to be imagined without experience, how in climbing crags and treading bogs, and winding through narrow and obstructed passages, a little bulk will hinder, and a little weight will burden; or how often a man that has pleased himself at home with his own resolution, will, in the hour of darkness and fatigue, be content to leave behind him everything but himself. By Samuel Johnson Spare Experience Bogs Passages Hinder

Yet reason frowns in war's unequal game,Where wasted nations raise a single name;And mortgag'd states their grandsire's wreaths regret,From age to age in everlasting debt;Wreaths which at last the dear-bought right conveyTo rust on medals, or on stones decay. By Samuel Johnson Wreaths Debt Medals Decay Age

Methinks, though a man had all science, and all principles, yet it might not be amiss to have some conscience.Tillots.Pref.5. Wrong; By Samuel Johnson Methinks Science Principles Wrong Man

Nothing is more common than mutual dislike, where mutual approbation is particularly expected. By Samuel Johnson Dislike Expected Mutual Common Approbation

The mathematicians are well acquainted with the difference between pure science, which has only to do with ideas, and the application of its laws to the use of life, in which they are constrained to submit to the imperfections of matter and the influence of accidents. By Samuel Johnson Science Ideas Life Accidents Mathematicians

Those whose abilities or knowledge incline them most to deviate from the general round of life are recalled from eccentricity by the laws of their existence. By Samuel Johnson Existence Abilities Knowledge Incline Deviate

Ah! Sir, a boy's being flogged is not so severe as a man's having the hiss of the world against him. By Samuel Johnson Sir Boy Flogged Severe Man

Nothing has so exposed men of learning to contempt and ridicule as their ignorance of things which are known to all but themselves. Those who have been taught to consider the institutions of the schools as giving the last perfection to human abilities are surprised to see men wrinkled with study, yet wanting to be instructed in the minute circumstances of propriety, or the necessary form of daily transaction; and quickly shake off their reverence for modes of education which they find to produce no ability above the rest of mankind. By Samuel Johnson Men Exposed Learning Contempt Ridicule

All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own, and if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it. By Samuel Johnson Advantages Learn Travel Countries Worse

Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. By Samuel Johnson Life Difficulties Passing Forming Gratified

It is the great privilege of poverty to be happy and yet unenvied, to be healthy with physic, secure without a guard, and to obtain from the bounty of nature what the great and wealthy are compelled to procure by the help of art. By Samuel Johnson Great Unenvied Physic Secure Guard

The greatest human virtue bears no proportion to human vanity. We always think ourselves better than we are, and are generally desirous that others should think us still better than we think ourselves. To praise us for actions or dispositions which deserve praise is not to confer a benefit, but to pay a tribute. We have always pretensions to fame which, in our own hearts, we know to be disputable, and which we are desirous to strengthen by a new suffrage; we have always hopes which we suspect to be fallacious, and of which we eagerly snatch at every confirmation. By Samuel Johnson Human Vanity Greatest Virtue Bears

When I first collected these authorities, I was desirous that every quotation should be useful to some other end than the illustration of a word; I therefore extracted from philosophers principles of science; from historians remarkable facts; from chymists complete processes; from divines striking exhortations; and from poets beautiful descriptions. By Samuel Johnson Authorities Word Science Facts Processes

Among those whose reputation is exhausted in a short time by its own luxuriance are the writers who take advantage of present incidents or characters which strongly interest the passions, and engage universal attention. It is not difficult to obtain readers, when we discuss a question which every one is desirous to understand, which is debated in every assembly, and has divided the nation into parties; or when we display the faults or virtues of him whose public conduct has made almost every man his enemy or his friend. By Samuel Johnson Passions Attention Reputation Exhausted Short

Of riches it is not necessary to write the praise. Let it, however, be remembered that he who has money to spare has it always in his power to benefit others, and of such power a good man must always be desirous. By Samuel Johnson Praise Riches Write Power Desirous

A man sometimes starts up a patriot, only by disseminating discontent, and propagating reports of secret influence, of dangerous counsels, of violated rights, and encroaching usurpation. This practice is no certain note of patriotism. To instigate the populace with rage beyond the provocation, is to suspend public happiness, if not to destroy it. He is no lover of his country, that unnecessarily disturbs its peace. By Samuel Johnson Patriot Discontent Influence Counsels Usurpation

The habit of looking on the bright side of every event is worth more than a thousand pounds a year. By Samuel Johnson Year Habit Bright Side Event

Sir, I do not call a gamester a dishonest man; but I call him an unsociable man, an unprofitable man. Gaming is a mode of transferring property without producing any intermediate good. By Samuel Johnson Man Sir Call Gamester Dishonest

What signifies protesting so against flattery when a person speaks well of one, it must either be true or false, you know if true, let us rejoice in his good opinion if he lies, it is a proof at least that he loves more to please me, than to sit s By Samuel Johnson False Lies True Signifies Protesting

Lawful and settled authority is very seldom resisted when it is well employed. By Samuel Johnson Lawful Employed Settled Authority Seldom

He that has once concluded it lawful to resist power, when it wants merit, will soon find a want of merit, to justify his resistance to power. By Samuel Johnson Power Merit Concluded Lawful Resist

Sir, there is no settling the point of precedency between a louse and a flea. By Samuel Johnson Sir Flea Settling Point Precedency

The stream of Time, which is continually washing the dissoluble fabrics of other poets, passes without injury by the adamant of Shakespeare. By Samuel Johnson Time Shakespeare Poets Passes Stream

Profuseness is a cruel and crafty demon, that gradually involves her followers in dependence and debt; that is, fetters them with irons that enter into their souls. By Samuel Johnson Profuseness Demon Debt Fetters Souls

There are indeed, in the present corruption of mankind, many incitements to forsake truth: the need of palliating our own faults and the convenience of imposing on the ignorance or credulity of others so frequently occur; so many immediate evils are By Samuel Johnson Mankind Truth Occur Present Corruption

No wonder, Sir, that he is vain; a man who is perpetually flattered in every mode that can be conceived. So many bellows have blown the fire, that one wonders he is not by this time become a cinder. By Samuel Johnson Sir Vain Conceived Man Perpetually

Sorrow is the mere rust of the soul. Activity will cleanse and brighten it. By Samuel Johnson Sorrow Soul Mere Rust Activity

It is commonly a weak man who marries for love. By Samuel Johnson Love Commonly Weak Man Marries

Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rule of composition; it produces vigilance rather than elevation; rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often miscarriages, but seldom reaches either power or honor. By Samuel Johnson Prudence Composition Elevation Advantage Miscarriages

The safe and general antidote against sorrow is employment. It is commonly observed, that among soldiers and seamen, though there is much kindness, there is little grief; they see their friend fall without any of that lamentation which is indulged in security and idleness, because they have no leisure to spare from the care of themselves; and whoever shall keep his thoughts equally busy will find himself equally unaffected with irretrievable losses. By Samuel Johnson Employment Safe General Antidote Sorrow

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. By Samuel Johnson Importance Society Chastity Women Sheep

In Shakespeare's plays, the mourner hastening to bury his friend is all the time colliding with the reveller hastening to his wine. By Samuel Johnson Hastening Shakespeare Plays Wine Mourner

Who will consider that no dictionary of a living tongue ever can be perfect, since, while it is hastening to publication, some words are budding, and some falling away; that a whole life cannot be spent upon syntax and etymology, and that even a whole life would not be sufficient; that he, whose design includes whatever language can express, must often speak of what he does not understand. By Samuel Johnson Life Perfect Publication Budding Etymology

Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt himself by telling what is not true. By Samuel Johnson Telling True Hurt Put Difficulty

Many need no other provocation to enmity than that they find themselves excelled. By Samuel Johnson Excelled Provocation Enmity Find

Wheresoe'er I turn my view,All is strange, yet nothing new:Endless labor all along,Endless labor to be wrong:Phrase that Time has flung away;Uncouth words in disarray,Trick'd in antique ruff and bonnet,Ode, and elegy, and sonnet. By Samuel Johnson Endless Phrase Uncouth Time Labor

More knowledge may be gained of a man's real character by a short conversation with one of his servants than from a formal and studied narrative, begun with his pedigree and ended with his funeral. By Samuel Johnson Narrative Begun Funeral Knowledge Gained

None but those who have learned the art of subjecting their senses as well as reason to hypothetical systems can be persuaded by the most specious rhetorician that the lots of life are equal; yet it cannot be denied that every one has his peculiar pleasures and vexations, that external accidents operate variously upon different minds, and that no man can exactly judge from his own sensations what another would feel in the same circumstances. By Samuel Johnson Equal Vexations Minds Circumstances Learned

You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do more good to them by spending it in luxury, than by giving it; for by spending it in luxury, you make them exert industry, whereas by giving it, you keep them idle. By Samuel Johnson Luxury Good Poor Spending Giving

We often look with indifference on the successive parts of something that, if the whole were seen together, would shake us with emotion. By Samuel Johnson Emotion Indifference Successive Parts Shake

Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them. By Samuel Johnson Enterprises Great Labor Hazard Undertaken

Scarcely any degree of judgment is sufficient to restrain the imagination from magnifying that on which it is long detained By Samuel Johnson Scarcely Detained Degree Judgment Sufficient

ANSWER-JOBBER (A'NSWER-JOBBER) n.s.[from answer and jobber.]He that makes a trade of writing answers. What disgusts me from having any thing to do with answer-jobbers, is, that they have no conscience.Swift. By Samuel Johnson Jobber Makes Trade Writing Answerjobber

Let us take a patriot, where we can meet him; and, that we may not flatter ourselves by false appearances, distinguish those marks which are certain, from those which may deceive; for a man may have the external appearance of a patriot, without the constituent qualities; as false coins have often lustre, though they want weight. By Samuel Johnson Patriot False Distinguish Deceive Qualities

The life of a conscientious clergyman is not easy. I have always considered a clergyman as the father of a larger family than he is able to maintain. I would rather have chancery suits upon my hands than the cure of souls. By Samuel Johnson Easy Clergyman Life Conscientious Maintain

In bed we laugh, in bed we cry, and born in bed, in bed we die; the near approach a bed may show of human bliss to human woe. By Samuel Johnson Bed Human Laugh Cry Die

The Lives of the Poets are, on the whole, the best of Johnson's works. The narratives are as entertaining as any novel. The remarks on life and on human nature are eminently shrewd and profound. The criticisms are often excellent, and, even when grossly and provokingly unjust, well deserve to be studied. For, however erroneous they may be, they are never silly. They are the judgments of a mind trammelled by prejudice and deficient in sensibility, but vigorous and acute. They therefore generally contain a portion of valuable truth which deserves to be separated from the alloy; and, at the very worst, they mean something, a praise to which much of what is called criticism in our time has no pretensions. By Samuel Johnson Lives Poets Johnson Works Narratives

New arts are long in the world before poets describe them; for they borrow everything from their predecessors, and commonly derive very little from nature or from life. By Samuel Johnson Predecessors Life Arts Long World

The task of an author is, either to teach what is not known, or to recommend known truths by his manner of adorning them; either to let new light in upon the mind, and open new scenes to the prospect, or to vary the dress and situation of common objects, so as to give them fresh grace and more powerful attractions, to spread such flowers over the regions through which the intellect has already made its progress, as may tempt it to return, and take a second view of things hastily passed over, or negligently regarded. By Samuel Johnson Mind Prospect Objects Attractions Progress

It is good sense applied with diligence to what was at first a mere accident, and which by great application grew to be called, by the generality of mankind, a particular genius. By Samuel Johnson Accident Called Mankind Genius Good

They that have grown old in a single state are generally found to be morose, fretful and captious; tenacious of their own practices and maxims; soon offended by contradiction or negligence; and impatient of any association but with those that will watch their nod, and submit themselves to unlimited authority. By Samuel Johnson Morose Fretful Captious Tenacious Maxims

No man is obliged to do as much as he can do. A man is to have part of his life to himself. By Samuel Johnson Man Obliged Part Life

Every man has frequent grievances which only the solicitude of friendship will discover and remedy, and which would remain for ever unheeded in the mighty heap of human calamity, were it only surveyed by the eye of general benevolence equally attentive to every misery. By Samuel Johnson Remedy Calamity Misery Man Frequent

He who expects much will be often disappointed; yet disappointment seldom cures us of expectation, or has any other effect than that of producing a moral sentence or peevish exclamation. By Samuel Johnson Disappointed Expectation Exclamation Expects Disappointment

Never trust your tongue when your heart is bitter. By Samuel Johnson Bitter Trust Tongue Heart

PU'RIST: one superstitiously nice in the use of words. By Samuel Johnson Purist Words Superstitiously Nice

Man alone is born crying, lives complaining, and dies disappointed. By Samuel Johnson Man Crying Lives Complaining Disappointed

Friendship is not always the sequel of obligation ... By Samuel Johnson Friendship Obligation Sequel

I know not anything more pleasant, or more instructive, than to compare experience with expectation, or to register from time to time the difference between idea and reality. It is by this kind of observation that we grow daily less liable to be disappointed. By Samuel Johnson Time Pleasant Instructive Expectation Reality

To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example. By Samuel Johnson Dangerous Church Religion Distant Hope

It is not indeed certain, that the most refined caution will find a proper time for bringing a man to the knowledge of his own failing, or the most zealous benevolence reconcile him to that judgment by which they are detected; but he who endeavours only the happiness of him whom he reproves will always have either the satisfaction of obtaining or deserving kindness; if he succeeds, he benefits his friend; and if he fails, he has at least the consciousness that he suffers for only doing well. By Samuel Johnson Failing Detected Kindness Succeeds Friend

Sir, they are a race of convicts and ought to be grateful for anything we allow them short of hanging. By Samuel Johnson Sir Hanging Race Convicts Grateful

Life of Ages, richly poured,Love of God unspent and free,Flowing in the Prophet's wordAnd the People's liberty!Never was to chosen raceThat unstinted tide confined;Thine is every time and place,Fountain sweet of heart and mind! By Samuel Johnson Ages Thine God Prophet People

That distrust which intrudes so often on your mind is a mode of melancholy, which, if it be the business of a wise man to be happy, it is foolish to indulge; and if it be a duty to preserve our faculties entire for their proper use, it is criminal. Suspicion is very often an useless pain. By Samuel Johnson Melancholy Happy Indulge Criminal Distrust

The imaginations excited by the view of an unknown and untravelled wilderness are not such as arise in the artificial solitude of parks and gardens ... The phantoms which haunt a desert are want, and misery, and danger; the evils of dereliction rush upon the thoughts; man is made unwillingly acquainted with his own weakness, and meditation shows him only how little he can sustain, and how little he can perform. By Samuel Johnson Gardens Imaginations Excited View Unknown

It is necessary to the success of flattery, that it be accommodated to particular circumstances or characters, and enter the heart on that side where the passions are ready to receive it. By Samuel Johnson Flattery Characters Success Accommodated Circumstances

Moral sentences appear ostentatious and tumid, when they have no greater occasions than the journey of a wit to his home town: yet such pleasures and such pains make up the general mass of life; and as nothing is little to him that feels it with gre By Samuel Johnson Moral Tumid Town Life Gre

AMENABLE (AME'NABLE) adj.[amesnable, Fr. amener quelqu'un, in the French courts, signifies, to oblige one to appear to answer a charge exhibited against him.]Responsible; subject so as to be liable to enquiries or accounts. By Samuel Johnson Amenable Responsible Amenable Adj Amesnable

Men are most powerfully affected by those evils which themselves feel, or which appear before their own eyes. By Samuel Johnson Men Feel Eyes Powerfully Affected

He that compares what he has done with what he has left undone, will feel the effect which must always follow the comparison of imagination with reality; he will look with contempt on his own unimportance, and wonder to what purpose he came into the world; he will repine that he shall leave behind him no evidence of his having been, that he has added nothing to the system of life, but has glided from youth to age among the crowd, without any effort for distinction. By Samuel Johnson Undone Reality Unimportance World Life

The gratification of curiosity rather frees us from uneasiness than confers pleasure; we are more pained by ignorance than delighted by instruction. Curiosity is the thirst of the soul; it inflames and torments us, and makes us taste every thing with joy, however otherwise insipid, by which it may be quenched. By Samuel Johnson Pleasure Instruction Curiosity Gratification Frees

The Church does not superstitiously observe days, merely as days, but as memorials of important facts. Christmas might be kept as well upon one day of the year as another; but there should be a stated day for commemorating the birth of our Saviour, because there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected. By Samuel Johnson Church Facts Day Superstitiously Observe

He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts. By Samuel Johnson Efforts Knowledge Human Nature Seek

The gratification which affluence of wealth, extent of power, and eminence of reputation confer, must be always, by their own nature, confined to a very small number; and the life of the greater part of mankind must be lost in empty wishes and painful comparisons, were not the balm of philosophy shed upon us, and our discontent at the appearances of unequal distribution soothed and appeased. By Samuel Johnson Wealth Extent Power Confer Nature

But let not little men triumph upon knowing that Johnson was an HYPOCHONDRIACK, was subject to what the learned, philosophical, and pious Dr. Cheyne has so well treated under the title of 'The English Malady. By Samuel Johnson Philosophical Hypochondriack Malady Johnson Cheyne

Some read for style, and some for argument: one has little care about the sentiment, he observes only how it is expressed; another regards not the conclusion, but is diligent to mark how it is inferred; they read for other purposes than the attainment of practical knowledge; and are no more likely to grow wise by an examination of a treatise of moral prudence, than an architect to inflame his devotion by considering attentively the proportions of a temple. By Samuel Johnson Read Style Argument Sentiment Expressed

May, notwithstanding, be questioned whether, except his bible, he ever read a book entirely through. Late in life, if any man praised a book in his presence, he was sure to ask, "Did you read it through?" If the answer was in the affirmative, he did not seem willing to believe it. By Samuel Johnson Notwithstanding Bible Book Read Questioned

One of the aged greatest miseries is that they cannot easily find a companion able to share the memories of the past. By Samuel Johnson Past Aged Greatest Miseries Easily

Friendship, compounded of esteem and love, derives from one its tenderness and its permanence from the other. By Samuel Johnson Friendship Compounded Love Derives Esteem

Ignorance is mere privation by which nothing can be produced: it is a vacuity in which the soul sits motionless and torpid for want of attraction: and, without knowing why, we always rejoice when we learn, and grieve when we forget. By Samuel Johnson Ignorance Produced Attraction Learn Forget

When we see our enemies and friends gliding away before us, let us not forget that we are subject to the general law of mortality, and shall soon be where our doom will be fixed forever. By Samuel Johnson Mortality Forever Enemies Friends Gliding

But to the particular species of excellence men are directed, not by an ascendant planet or predominating humour, but by the first book which they read, some early conversation which they heard, or some accident which excited ardour and emulation. By Samuel Johnson Directed Humour Read Heard Emulation

I never desire to converse with a man who has written more than he has read. By Samuel Johnson Read Desire Converse Man Written

Pity is not natural to man. Children and savages are always cruel. Pity is acquired and improved by the cultivation of reason. We may have uneasy sensations from seeing a creature in distress, without pity; but we have not pity unless we wish to relieve him. By Samuel Johnson Pity Man Natural Children Cruel

It is not difficult to conceive, however, that for many reasons a man writes much better than he lives. For without entering into refined speculations, it may be shown much easier to design than to perform. A man proposes his schemes of life in a state of abstraction and disengagement, exempt from the enticements of hope, the solicitations of affection, the importunities of appetite, or the depressions of fear. By Samuel Johnson Conceive Lives Man Difficult Reasons

He that travels in theory has no inconveniences. By Samuel Johnson Inconveniences Travels Theory

The business of the biographer is often to pass slightly over those performances and incidents which produce vulgar greatness, to lead the thoughts into domestic privacies, and display the minute details of daily life, were exterior appendages are cast aside, and men excel each other only by prudence and virtue. By Samuel Johnson Greatness Privacies Life Virtue Business

Who left nothing of authorship untouched, and touched nothing which he did not adorn.[Lat., Qui nullum fere scribendi genus non tetigit; nullum quod tetigit non ornavit.] By Samuel Johnson Lat Qui Untouched Adorn Ornavit

We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of action are not known, but because for a time they are not remembered; he may, therefore, justly be numbered among the benefactors of mankind who contracts the great rules of life into short sentences that may early be impressed on the memory, and taught by frequent recollection to occur habitually to the mind. By Samuel Johnson Folly Remembered Justly Memory Mind

Complaints are vain; we will try to. do better another time. To-morrow and to-morrow. A few designs and a few failures, and the time of designing is past. By Samuel Johnson Complaints Vain Time Tomorrow Failures

Reason and truth will prevail at last By Samuel Johnson Reason Truth Prevail

He that can swim needs not despair to fly; to swim is to fly in a grosser fluid, and to fly is to swim in a subtler. We are only to proportion our power of resistance to the different density of matter through which we are to pass. You will be necessarily upborne by the air if you can renew any impulse upon it faster than the air can recede from the pressure ... By Samuel Johnson Fly Swim Fluid Subtler Despair

Depend upon it that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him; for where there is nothing but pure misery there never is any recourse to the mention of it. By Samuel Johnson Depend Man Talks Misfortunes Disagreeable

Never believe extraordinary characters which you hear of people. Depend upon it, they are exaggerated. You do not see one man shoot a great deal higher than another. By Samuel Johnson People Extraordinary Characters Hear Depend

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble. By Samuel Johnson Resemble Absurdity Conduct Arises Imitation

I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government other than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual. By Samuel Johnson Give Half Guinea Live Form

Shakespeare opens a mine which contains gold and diamonds in unexhaustible plenty, though clouded by incrustations, debased by impurities, and mingled with a mass of meaner minerales. By Samuel Johnson Shakespeare Plenty Incrustations Debased Impurities

Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity. By Samuel Johnson Praise Diamonds Owes Scarcity Gold

A man finds in the productions of nature an inexhaustible stock of material on which he can employ himself, without any temptations to envy or malevolence, and has always a certain prospect of discovering new reasons for adoring the sovereign author of the universe. By Samuel Johnson Malevolence Universe Man Finds Productions

I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am. By Samuel Johnson Mankind Hate Bad

A married man has many cares, but a bachelor no pleasures. By Samuel Johnson Cares Pleasures Married Man Bachelor

There must always be a struggle between a father and son, while one aims at power and the other at independence. By Samuel Johnson Son Independence Struggle Father Aims

Dogs have not the power of comparing. A dog will take a small piece of meat as readily as a large, when both are before him. By Samuel Johnson Comparing Power Large Dogs Dog

Mutual complacency is the atmosphere of conjugal love. By Samuel Johnson Mutual Love Complacency Atmosphere Conjugal

Resentment is a union of sorrow with malignity; a combination of a passion which all endeavor to avoid with a passion which all concur to detest. By Samuel Johnson Passion Resentment Malignity Detest Union

It is certain that success naturally confirms in us a favourable opinion of our own abilities. Scarce any man is willing to allot to accident, friendship, and a thousand causes, which concur in every event without human contrivance or interposition, the part which they may justly claim in his advancement. We rate ourselves by our fortune rather than our virtues, and exorbitant claims are quickly produced by imaginary merit. By Samuel Johnson Abilities Success Naturally Confirms Favourable

Among the numerous requisites that must concur to complete an author, few are of more importance than an early entrance into the living world. The seed of knowledge may be planted in solitude, but must be cultivated in public. Argumentation may be taught in colleges, and theories formed in retirement; but the artifice of embellishment and the powers of attraction can be gained only by a general converse. By Samuel Johnson Author World Numerous Requisites Concur

We are easily shocked by crimes which appear at once in their full magnitude, but the gradual growth of our own wickedness, endeared by interest, and palliated by all the artifices of self-deceit, gives us time to form distinctions in our own favor By Samuel Johnson Magnitude Wickedness Endeared Interest Selfdeceit

But the gradual growth of our own wickedness, endeared by interest, and palliated by all the artifices of self-deceit, gives us time to form distinctions in our own favour, and reason by degrees submits to absurdity, as the eye is in time accommodated to darkness. By Samuel Johnson Time Wickedness Endeared Interest Selfdeceit

Whoever shall review his life, will find that the whole tenor of his conduct has been determined by some accident of no apparent moment. By Samuel Johnson Life Moment Review Find Tenor

The next best thing to knowing something is knowing where to find it. By Samuel Johnson Knowing Thing Find

As to the rout that is made about people who are ruined by extravagance, it is no matter to the nation that some individuals suffer. When so much general productive exertion is the consequence of luxury, the nation does not care though there are debtors; nay, they would not care though their creditors were there too. By Samuel Johnson Extravagance Suffer Nation Care Rout

When a king asked Euclid, the mathematician, whether he could not explain his art to him in a more compendious manner? he was answered, that there was no royal way to geometry. By Samuel Johnson Euclid Mathematician Manner King Asked

Though it is evident, that not more than one age or people can deserve the censure of being more averse from learning than any other, yet at all times knowledge must have encountered impediments, and wit been mortified with contempt, or harassed with persecution. By Samuel Johnson Evident Impediments Contempt Persecution Age

Catch, then, oh! catch the transient hour,Improve each moment as it flies;Life's a short summer-man a flower;He dies-alas! how soon he dies! By Samuel Johnson Catch Life Flies Flower Diesalas

As every one is pleased with imagining that he knows something not yet commonly divulged, secret history easily gains credit; but it is for the most part believed only while it circulates in whispers, and when once it is openly told, is openly refuted. By Samuel Johnson Openly Divulged Secret Credit Whispers

It may be observed in general that the future is purchased by the present. It is not possible to secure distant or permanent happiness but by the forbearance of some immediate gratification. This is so evidently true with regard to the whole of our existence that all precepts of theology have no other tendency than to enforce a life of faith; a life regulated not by our senses but by our belief; a life in which pleasures are to be refused for fear of invisible punishments, and calamities sometimes to be sought, and always endured, in hope of rewards that shall be obtained in another state. By Samuel Johnson Present Life Observed General Future

It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution can never maintain a single day of unmingled innocence ... It is, however, necessary for the idea of perfection to be proposed, that we may have some object to which our endeavours are to be directed; and he that is most deficient in the duties of life makes some atonement for his faults if he warns others against his own failings, and hinders, by the salubrity of his admonitions, the contagion of his example. By Samuel Johnson Attain Innocence Condition Present State

Turn on the prudent ant thy heedful eyes. Observe her labors, sluggard, and be wise. By Samuel Johnson Sluggard Turn Eyes Prudent Ant

It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it be struck at one end of the room, it will soon fall to the ground. To keep it up, it must be struck at both ends. By Samuel Johnson Praised Advantageous Author Book Attacked

That this is a practice contrary to the rules of criticism will be readily allowed; but there is always an appeal open from criticism to nature. The end of writing is to instruct; the end of poetry is to instruct by pleasing. That the mingled drama may convey all the instruction of tragedy or comedy cannot be denied, because it includes both in its alterations of exhibition, and approaches nearer than either to the appearance of life, by shewing how great machinations and slender designs may promote or obviate one another, and the high and the low co-operate in the general system by unavoidable concatenation. By Samuel Johnson Criticism Allowed Nature End Practice

The judgments which Johnson passed on books were, in his own time, regarded with superstitious veneration, and, in our time, are generally treated with indiscriminate contempt. They are the judgments of a strong but enslaved understanding. The mind of the critic was hedged round by an uninterrupted fence of prejudices and superstitions. Within his narrow limits, he displayed a vigour and an activity which ought to have enabled him to clear the barrier that confined him. By Samuel Johnson Time Johnson Judgments Regarded Veneration

The accidental prescriptions of authority, when time has procured them veneration, are often confounded with the laws of nature, and those rules are supposed coeval with reason, of which the first rise cannot be discovered. By Samuel Johnson Authority Veneration Nature Reason Discovered

It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad. By Samuel Johnson Good Bad Remarkable Death Increases

Let him that desires to see others happy, make haste to give while his gift can be enjoyed, and remember that every moment of delay takes away something from the value of his benefaction. By Samuel Johnson Happy Make Enjoyed Benefaction Desires

ADVERSARIA (ADVERSA'RIA) n.s.[Lat. A book, as it should seem, in which Debtor and Creditor were set in opposition.]A common-place; a book to note in. These parchments are supposed to have been St. Paul's adversaria.Bull'sSermons. By Samuel Johnson Adversaria Lat Book Debtor Creditor

Every man, however hopeless his pretensions may appear, has some project by which he hopes to rise to reputation; some art by which he imagines that the attention of the world will be attracted; some quality, good or bad, which discriminates him from the common herd of mortals, and by which others may be persuaded to love, or compelled to fear him. By Samuel Johnson Man Reputation Attracted Quality Good

Few of those who fill the world with books, have any pretensions to the hope either of pleasing or instructing. They have often no other task than to lay two books before them, out of which they compile a third, without any new material of their own, and with very little application of judgment to those which former authors have supplied. By Samuel Johnson Instructing Books Fill World Pretensions

We have always pretensions to fame which, in our own hearts, we know to be disputable. By Samuel Johnson Hearts Disputable Pretensions Fame

Hunting was the labour of the savages of North America, but the amusement of the gentlemen of England. By Samuel Johnson America England North Hunting Labour

Tears are often to be found where there is little sorrow, and the deepest sorrow without any tears. By Samuel Johnson Tears Sorrow Found Deepest

If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone. A man should keep his friendships in constant repair. By Samuel Johnson Life Man Make Acquaintances Advances

APHETA (APHE'TA) n.s.[with astrologers.] The name of the plant, which is imagined to be the giver or disposer of life in a nativity.Dict. By Samuel Johnson Apheta Apheta Astrologers Plant Nativitydict

Every other enjoyment malice may destroy; every other panegyric envy may withhold; but no human power can deprive the boaster of his own encomiums. By Samuel Johnson Destroy Withhold Encomiums Enjoyment Malice

But though it cannot be reasonable not to gain happiness for fear of losing it, yet it must be confessed, that in proportion to the pleasure of possession, will be for some time our sorrow for the loss. By Samuel Johnson Confessed Possession Loss Reasonable Gain

Those who have no power to judge of past times but by their own, should always doubt their conclusions By Samuel Johnson Conclusions Power Judge Past Times

The joy of life is variety; the tenderest love requires to be rekindled by intervals of absence. By Samuel Johnson Variety Absence Joy Life Tenderest

Philips, whose touch harmonious could remove The pangs of guilty power and hapless love! Rest here, distress'd by poverty no more; Here find that calm thou gav'st so oft before; Sleep undisturb'd within this peaceful shrine, Till angels wake thee with a note like thine! By Samuel Johnson Philips Love Sleep Till Touch

Many of our miseries are merely comparative: we are often made unhappy, not by the presence of any real evil, but by the absence of some fictitious good; of something which is not required by any real want of nature, which has not in itself any power of gratification, and which neither reason nor fancy would have prompted us to wish, did we not see it in the possession of others. By Samuel Johnson Real Comparative Unhappy Evil Good

It is, however, not necessary, that a man should forbear to write, till he has discovered some truth unknown before; he may be sufficiently useful, by only diversifying the surface of knowledge, and luring the mind by a new appearance to a second view of those beauties which it had passed over inattentively before. By Samuel Johnson Write Till Knowledge Man Forbear

A man of sense and education should meet a suitable companion in a wife. It is a miserable thing when the conversation can only be such as whether the mutton should be boiled or roasted, and probably a dispute about that. By Samuel Johnson Wife Man Sense Education Meet

The young man, who intends no ill,Believes that none is intended, and thereforeActs with openness and candor: but his father, having suffered the injuries of fraud, is impelled to suspect, and too often allured to practice it. By Samuel Johnson Man Intended Candor Father Fraud

To mean understandings, it is sufficient honour to be numbered amongst the lowest labourers of learning; but different abilities must find different tasks. To hew stone, would have been unworthy of Palladio; and to have rambled in search of shells and flowers, had but ill suited with the capacity of Newton. By Samuel Johnson Understandings Learning Tasks Sufficient Honour

I am far from any intention to limit curiosity, or confine the labours of learning to arts of immediate and necessary use. It is only from the various essays of experimental industry, and the vague excursions of mind set upon discovery, that any advancement of knowledge can be expected; and though many must be disappointed in their labours, yet they are not to be charged with having spent their time in vain; their example contributed to inspire emulation, and their miscarriage taught others the way to success. By Samuel Johnson Curiosity Labours Intention Limit Confine

Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. By Samuel Johnson Curiosity Intellect Permanent Characteristics Vigorous

Each change of many-colour'd life he drew, Exhausted worlds, and then imagin'd new. By Samuel Johnson Exhausted Drew Worlds Change Manycolour

Too much nicety of detail disgusts the greatest part of readers, and to throw a multitude of particulars under general heads, and lay down rules of extensive comprehension, is to common understandings of little use. By Samuel Johnson Readers Heads Comprehension Nicety Detail

In such a government as ours no man is appointed to an office because he is the fittest for itnor hardly in any other governmentbecause there are so many connections and dependencies to be studied. By Samuel Johnson Studied Government Man Appointed Office

Surely nothing is more reproachful to a being endowed with reason, than to resign its powers to the influence of the air, and live in dependence on the weather and the wind, for the only blessings which nature has put into our power, tranquillity and benevolence. To look up to the sky for the nutriment of our bodies, is the condition of nature; to call upon the sun for peace and gaiety, or deprecate the clouds lest sorrow should overwhelm u