Samuel Johnson

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.

There are charms made only for distant admiration.

There is nothing, Sir, too little for so little a creature as man. It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible.

Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.

He who praises every body, praises nobody.

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

When you place yourself in a position to help another, you will discover your greater capabilities.

Excellence encourages one about life generally; it shows the spiritual wealth of the world.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, ‘always do what you are afraid to do.’

It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid.

How pleasant it is for a father to sit at his child’s board. It is like an aged man reclining under the shadow of an oak which he has planted.

Don’t order any black things. Rejoice in his memory; and be radiant: leave grief to the children. Wear violet and purple. Be patient with the poor people who will snivel: they don’t know; and they think they will live for ever, which makes death a division instead of a bond.

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake . . . by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.

The Artist is he who detects and applies the law from observation of the works of Genius, whether of man or Nature. The Artisan is he who merely applies the rules which others have detected.

In lapidary inscriptions a man is not upon oath.

We bust build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.

Subdue your passion or it will subdue you.

Intellect annuls fate. So far as a man thinks, he is free.

I was exceedingly delighted with the waltz, and also with the polka. These differ in name, but there the difference ceases