Samuel Johnson Quotes

If a man does not make new acquaintance as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.

A lady once asked him how he came to define 'pastern', the knee of a horse: instead of making an elaborate defence, as might be expected, he at once answered, "Ignorance, Madam, pure ignorance."

[Of Lord Chesterfield] This man, I thought, had been a Lord among wits; but, I find, he is only a wit among Lords!

Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and when he has reached ground encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.

I'll come no more behind your scenes, David <nowiki>[Garrick]</nowiki>; for the silk stockings and white bosoms of your actresses excite my amorous propensities.

Tom Birch is as brisk as a bee in conversation; but no sooner does he take a pen in his hand than it becomes a torpedo to him, and benumbs all his faculties.

A generous and elevated mind is distinguished by nothing more certainly than an eminent degree of curiosity.

The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.

Sir, what is Poetry? Why, Sir, it is much easier to say what it is not. We all know what light is: but it is not easy to tell what it is.

Was there ever yet any thing written by mere man that was wished longer by its readers, excepting Don Quixote, Robinson Crusoe, and the Pilgrim's Progress?

There is in this world no real delight (excepting those of sensuality), but exchange of ideas in conversation.

I hate a fellow whom pride or cowardice or laziness drives into a corner, and who does nothing when he is there but sit and growl. Let him come out as I do, and bark.

It is very strange, and very melancholy, that the paucity of human pleasures should persuade us ever to call hunting one of them.

The law is the last result of human wisdom acting upon human experience for the benefit of the public.

He was a very good hater.