Samuel Johnson

Man is not weak; knowledge is more than equivalent to force.

Sir, you have but two topics, yourself and me. I am sick of both.

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.

The happiest conversation is that of which nothing is distinctly remembered but a general effect of pleasing impression.

Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few.

Sir, I have found you an argument. I am not obliged to find you an understanding.

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most.

Rummaging in our souls, we often dig up something that ought to have lain there unnoticed.

I believe in the limitlessness of humans. We’re capable of incredible things. At times that realization is frightening.

Stress is caused by being here but wanting to be there.

While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?

It is more agreeable to have the power to give than to receive.

Amuse not thy self therefore with the numerous Opinions of the World, nor value thy self upon verbal Orthodoxy, Philosophy, or thy Skill in Tongues, or Knowledge of the Fathers; (too much the Business and Vanity of the World). But in this rejoyce, That thou knowest God, that is the Lord, who exerciseth loving Kindness, and Judgment; and Righteousness in the Earth.

Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.

The most dangerous people are those who have passion but lack wisdom.

Errors look so very ugly in persons of small means – one feels they are taking quite a liberty in going astray; whereas people of fortune may naturally indulge in a few delinquencies.

This report, by its very length, defends itself against the risk of being read.

Finish each day before you begin the next, and interpose a solid wall of sleep between the two. This you cannot do without temperance.

It doesn’t matter that your dream came true if you spent your whole life sleeping.

To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven.

The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery.