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Samuel Johnson — Portrait after a picture by Joshua Reynolds (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.

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.

Hope is necessary in every condition.
The Rambler (1750–1752), No. 67 (6 November 1750)
- Hope
Learn, that the present hour alone is man’s.
The Tragedy of Irene (1749), Act III, Sc. 2
- Time
Worth seeing? yes; but not worth going to see.
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol III (12 October 1779)
- Clever Jabs
LEXICOGRAPHER — A writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge.
A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)
- Comedy
- Writing
Truth, Sir, is a cow which will yield such people no more milk, and so they are gone to milk the bull.
In James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), entry for 21 July 1763
- Clever Jabs
- Truth & Lies
Merriment is always the effect of a sudden impression. The jest which is expected is already destroyed.
The Idler (1758–1760), No. 58 (26 May 1759)
- Humor
Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought. Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.
The Idler (1758–1760), No. 58 (26 May 1759)
- Happiness
I am inclined to believe that few attacks either of ridicule or invective make much noise, but by the help of those they provoke.
Letter to Hester Thrale (5 July 1783)
- Enemies
Let Observation with extensive View,
Survey Mankind, from China to Peru
The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749)In context
- Knowledge

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