The quotations of

Samuel Johnson

English writer and lexicographer

1709–1784

99 quotes, most often on Clever Jabs, Writing and Knowledge. Part of the Writers collection.

Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an excess of stupidity, sir, is not in Nature.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol I (28 July 1763) p. 128
- Clever Jabs
- Intelligence
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence, is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of this weary pilgrimage.
March 20, 1782
- Friendship
I fancy mankind may come, in time, to write all aphoristically, except in narrative; grow weary of preparation, and connection, and illustration, and all those arts by which a big book is made.
The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (1785) (16 August 1773)
- Writing
Sir, you have but two topicks, yourself and me. I am sick of both.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol III (May 1776) p. 313
- Clever Jabs
That he delights in the misery of others no man will confess, and yet what other motive can make a father cruel?
The Rambler (1750–1752), No. 148 (17 August 1751)
- Family
No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.
The Rambler (1750–1752), No. 148 (17 August 1751)
- Laws
- Power
His [David Garrick’s] death has eclipsed the gaiety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.
Lives of the English Poets (1779–81)
- Acting
I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol III (26 March 1779)
- Fame
- Writing
It is always observable that silence propagates itself, and that the longer talk has been suspended, the more difficult it is to find any thing to say.
The Adventurer, # 84 (25 August 1753)
- Talking
No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol I (March 1759) p. 97
- Comedy
In this work are exhibited, in a very high degree, the two most engaging powers of an author. New things are made familiar, and familiar things are made new.
Lives of the English Poets (1779–81), “Pope”, on The Rape of the Lock
- Writing
Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.
Lives of the English Poets (1779–81)
- Writing
He that would pass the latter part of life with honour and decency, must, when he is young, consider that he shall one day be old; and remember, when he is old, that he has once been young.
The Rambler (1750–1752), No. 50 (8 September 1750)
- Age
- Youth
Always, Sir, set a high value on spontaneous kindness. He whose inclination prompts him to cultivate your friendship of his own accord, will love you more than one whom you have been at pains to attach to you.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol IV, 1781, p. 479
- Friendship
He who praises everybody praises nobody.
Johnson’s Works (1787), vol. XI, p. 216
- Wisdom

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